My precious brothers and sisters, today at Mass we have presented to us in the Liturgy of the Word two letters from the book of Revelation addressed to the churches in Sardis and Laodicea, but their messages extend well beyond ancient Asia Minor and resonate deeply in our own lives and communities. We will wonderfully unite them to today’s gospel on the transformational figure of Zaccheus, whom like us all, the good Lord graces with the gift of repentance.
The first reading begins with a letter God sends through John, written to the church in Sardis, a city once vibrant with life and wealth, yet spiritually adrift. Sardis, the capital of Lydia, was renowned for its prosperity, situated upon a natural fortress that held a false sense of security. Jesus, identifying Himself as the one with “the seven spirits of God,” delivers a jarring message: “I know your works; you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead” Revelation 3:1. Imagine the shock this must have caused the believers!
For us, the church in Sardis serves as a mirror. Are we merely going through the motions, wrapping ourselves in the comforts of our routines and social lives, while our spiritual lives are abandoned? Jesus encourages them to “be watchful and strengthen what is left,” urging a return to the fervour of their early faith. There is a sense of urgency here, a call to shake off complacency before it leads to their demise. The call to vigilance to reignite the passion for Christ is both personal and communal.
The letter to Laodicea follows, presenting a different challenge. Laodicea was known for its wealth, banking, and production of fine wool, boasting a reputation that led to self-sufficiency. Jesus confronts them, saying, “You are neither cold nor hot... I will spit you out of my mouth” Revelation 3:16. Imagine their bewilderment! They believed their material prosperity equated to spiritual richness, yet Jesus exposes their true state: “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” Revelation 3:17.
How often do we find ourselves in a similar predicament? We might not be materially wealthy, but in a world obsessed with success and achievement, it’s easy to become indifferent to spiritual matters. Laodicea’s lukewarm faith is a stark warning for us today. Are we content with mediocrity in our faith? Or does the fire of Jesus’ love warm our hearts to action? What does it mean to honour and live for Jesus as God? What does it mean to give him always the first place in all circumstances?
Jesus offers them a remedy: “Buy from me gold refined by fire... white garments... ointment for your eyes” Revelation 3:18. This imagery strikes at the heart of their situation, calling them to seek what truly sustains life—faith tested in trials, righteousness that covers their shame, and the vision to see their brokenness. Our challenges and sufferings are not rejections from God but invitations to deeper intimacy with Him. Through faith, every challenge becomes an opportunity for growth—for a chance to perfect the virtues of humility and purity of heart. Is someone in your family or on your workplace giving you a difficult time? It’s an opportunity God is allowing for your personal sanctification.
As we reflect on the messages to Sardis and Laodicea, these themes of vigilance and transformation echo powerfully in the Gospel of Luke, where today we meet Zacchaeus. This tax collector climbs a sycamore tree—not only for a better vantage point and view of Jesus but to find a new outlook and perspective on his life. When Jesus sees him, He calls him by name and invites himself to Zacchaeus’s home. This encounter changes everything for Zacchaeus, who, upon recognizing his own sinfulness, pledges to repay fourfold what he has stolen. In Jesus inviting himself, we see his desire to come to each of us, even when we haven’t asked him to. Such is the love of God.
In this beautiful grace, we see that no one is beyond Jesus’s reach—neither the complacent church at Sardis nor the indifferent church at Laodicea. Christ stands at the door of each heart, just as He stood at the door of Zacchaeus’s home, waiting for a response to his grace.
Let us take this moment to invite Jesus in, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out, just as He transformed Zacchaeus. May we strive not only to live up to our reputations as Christians but to be alive in our faith, our service, and our love for one another. Remember, the Spirit speaks to us today: “Whoever has ears ought to hear.” May our hearts be receptive to the concerned sound of His voice.
Amen.
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