Whether we are deaf or have perfect hearing, we can all have selective hearing when it comes to Christ's knocks on the doors of our souls - and on the doors of our Churches. He dwells within us - but we can erect doors of self-protection and keep ourselves so busy that the noise of our busyness shuts Him out and away from having any influence on our lives - or on the life of our Churches.
We'd rather live in a state of lukewarm, half-hearted commitment. It's easier, especially when we think we don't need Him. Because we are more economically secure than a lot of the rest of the world, we can be so woefully blind to our spiritual poverty and anemia.
Christ says to us "For you say 'I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything', and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.... Behold, I stand at the door and I knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me... Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the Churches."
(Revelation 3: 17-22).
I have heard of Pastors and Finance Councils in all Christian denominations whose main objective in Church Administration is to keep a hefty balance in the bank account so their Church is absolutely secure. I have heard of other Churches that tithe a certain amount of income each month or year to charitable causes or poorer churches.
The Book of Acts gives us a breath-taking picture of how deeply the early Christians understood the reality of belonging to the Body of Christ: "All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need." (Acts 2: 44-45.) Every Church, no matter its economic condition, has a wealth of individual and communal spiritual gifts and riches to share with others in various forms of Outreach.
As individuals and families we are also confronted by Christ about the right way to share our property, money, spiritual gifts, and possessions with other members of Christ's Body. Because paradoxically, the more we share of our gifts, property and financial resources, the more we are rich in spiritual blessings and inner peace. Peace does not come from our external financial or economic security. Peace comes from the inside - living in union with Christ and Christ's Mystical Body.
If we open our doors to Christ and happily ask Him to enter, if we acknowledge our spiritual poverty, our spiritual hunger and thirst, he brings a meal for us to share - the fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control.
If Christ is our Peace, we have discovered true security. Our "inner crystal mansion" where Christ dwells (for such is the beauty of our souls) can never be destroyed by any adversity. And we have the inner strength to dwell at peace, as much as possible, with everyone.
If Christ is our Church's Peace, and we have discovered the wonderful diversity of the Body of Christ through our sharing and Outreach, then, if that Church building should be sold, and the community scattered to the four winds - as is happening in communities across our country - each member can still live in Peace in the midst of grief. They already know from experience that if they pray and seek, another Church home awaits them where once again they will be united in peace and Joy with the Body of Christ.
Whoever has ears ought to hear - and that's all of us!