Dwelling Places

"The Three Little Pigs" is a fable about three pigs who built their houses of different materials. A Big Bad Wolf blew down the first two pigs' houses made of straw and sticks respectively, but could not destroy the third pig's house made of bricks.  Houses made of brick and more formidable stone withstand storms with high winds and driving rain.  

We must be like the third little pig who made a wise choice so as not to let the bad wolf enter to dine on the pork within.  When we are living stones, we provide the same bulwark against those seeking to devour us.  Remember, we must be sober and vigilant. Our opponent the devil prowls around like a roaring lion [or growling wolf] looking for [someone] to devour. 

This fable introduces us to the second reading from Peter.  Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. 

Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. You are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:4-9)

We also are to be living stones for other people.  We are the stones on which they can step to avoid stumbling and falling.  In other words, we help them follow the Word by our behavior and encouragement.  

The Gospel reads: Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." 

Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." 

Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 4:1-12)

Jesus said: “In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.”  Our Church is one of those dwelling places in which the Father resides. Each of us also is a dwelling place for the Father.  A question is whether the welcome sign is out.  

Many of us seem to have barred the door because we fear the Father’s demands.  We must be careful since the Father can come down the chimney.  Or, unlike the big bad wolf, the Father will blow the house down.  Even stone cannot resist the winds of the Holy Spirit refusing to be denied.  Unlike Santa coming down the chimney to bring toys for good, little children, the Spirit brings gifts with fruits prompting us to swing the stone doors wide open.

Deacon David Pierce