God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Word of God, the Gospel plays a special role in the Polish National Catholic Church. Some would call it a unique role.

We believe that the hearing of the Gospel, in conjunction with its interpretation in the homily bestows sacramental grace —“ sanctifying grace. By this grace God calls us and leads us to change.

The verse, which is today’s alleluia verse, comes from 2 Thessalonians. The fuller context is this:

But we ought to give thanks to God for you always, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in truth. To this end he has (also) called you through our gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.

From St. Paul’s letter we understand that we are the firstfruits of salvation. We are the chosen, sanctified by the Holy Spirit by our Baptism and Confirmation, and living together in truth.

Because we open ourselves to hear God’s call in the Gospel, we will possess the glory of Jesus Christ. That is, the glory of His resurrection and life in heaven with Him forever.

There is yet another requirement. It is not just the choosing, the sanctifying, and the hearing, but that we stand firm and hold fast to what we have been taught, the Church’s sacred tradition as passed on to us through the Apostles and Fathers.

Right now you’ve about fallen asleep. Another ‘sermon’ on sacraments and what we must do, all couched in theological and biblical language.

I know that I receive God’s grace at Holy Mass —“ that’s why I’m here. I know God has requirements and that the Church has demands. Blah, blah, tradition, piety, blah blah…

So reflect on the words from today’s reading from Corinthians in which we hear:

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.

Does anyone watch American Idol? Can I see a show of hands?

It’s been pretty brutal. The people that were auditioning were for the most part horrible. They embarrassed themselves, and they got mocked…

Did anyone of us hear Paul’s message while we were watching? Did we view these folks as having gifts? Or did we get a chuckle out of them, and their miserable attempts at fame?

Remember, Paul said we are to stand firm and hold fast to what we were taught.

I think it is exceedingly difficult for you and I to buy into that message. In the face of daily entertainment, cynicism, and sarcasm the message passed down to us gets lost. The humiliation of those individuals on American Idol becomes the idol that displaces the Gospel.

So we will watch, many of us for sure. We’ll be unable to break away from the laughs and the dressing down others will receive.

We will forget, at least for that hour, that Jesus came to reveal Himself, not to hide. He revealed himself to the Jewish people and their Pharisees and Scribes dressed Him down like Simon Cowell would any rank amateur on American Idol.

When you watch next time think of Jesus’ dressing down. See the Sanhedrin in the front of the room, hey Jesus, you’re an amateur Rabbi and would be prophet —“ you don’t cut it, sorry, no.

When you watch think of Jesus, then see Jesus in that performer, that fearful person, that person being told no. Recognize Jesus in yourself when you are in the midst of pain and sadness.

So God has called us as His firstfruits, sanctified us in the Holy Spirit, made us members of His body and heirs to His kingdom. He’s given us the Apostles and Fathers to teach us and the Holy Church to guide us. We’ve received God’s gifts, His sacraments. He’s filled us with the graces received in three sacraments at Holy Mass, Penance, the Word, and the Holy Eucharist. But, have we changed? Do we see Him everyday, in that —“ that brother or sister? Have we even begun to believe in Him?

Through Isaiah God says:

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet

He keeps calling us to be His firstfruits for the salvation of the world. He will not be silent or quiet. We must respond. Believe, act, and see in accord with the Gospel – with Jesus.