Recently, I ran into a classmate I had not seen since graduating from high school 35 years ago. She approached me at a local event and spoke about how great it was to see me after all these years.

To be honest, I didn’t recognize her at first. It took a few minutes for me to realize who she was, and it was only after she started sharing details about our past.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a homeowner who hears people knocking to be let in. But the homeowner doesn’t recognize them, and he keeps his door closed to them.

This parable reminds us that loving and following Christ means staying close to Him in prayer and reflecting His light and love to the world. 

Do I have a relationship with Jesus or am I drifting away from the Lord? 

Lord Jesus, help me to stay close to you and to be the disciple you have called me to be. Amen.