I do not know you – Luke 13.25

Since we are allowed a day of rest from our New Testament Challenge, and yet we are still asked to read the Holy Scriptures daily, so I will offer a few words on today’s reading according to the Orthodox lectionary. Today the Church prescribes Luke 13.19-29 where the Lord offers several descriptions of what Heaven will be like.

The kingdom of God is like….a mustard seed or leaven in today’s readings. Both are very small but produce great effects. A mustard seed becomes a huge tree and the smallest leaven is enough to make great loaves of bread rise in the oven. The Lord also says, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you , will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13.24) Whether it is a small seed or a small gate, both produce great things.

What great reinforcement in these current times. All we need is just enough faith to place our hope in the Lord and then struggle to live a life worthy of His love. Just as the mustard seeds struggles to break through the soil before it can reach great heights (where even the birds build their nests), we too have to struggle to break through the struggles of life before we can soar freely with God.

As long as we are bound to worldly life, we cannot reach God. This is what He means when He says, “I do not know you, where you are from.” (Luke 13.25) Take this opportunity of preparation for Christmas and break free from the cares of this life and seek after God and His kingdom.

As we sing in the Divine Liturgy, “Let us lay aside all the cares of this life so that we may receive the King of all escorted by angelic hosts. Alleluia.”