• Reading I: Rev. 3:1-6,14-22
• Resp. Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4,5
• Gospel Reading:  Luke 19:1-10

The selection from the cover letters to Sardis and Laodicea are now presented.  The selection from the letter to Laodicea is well-known, especially because of the phrase "because you are lukewarm … I will spit you out of my mouth" and the statement:  "Behold, I stand at the door and knock…"  Both these quotes however have to be understood within the context where they appear. 

The Church in Laodicea is being admonished because of the pride they have in their wealth.  Laodicea was a fashion center known for the garments they make.  Laodicea was rich because of its main export, and because of this, it is lukewarm in its commitment to the Lord.  Its case is very much like Northern Israel in the Old Testament:  because of their wealth, they forgot the Lord.  The admonition of the Lord is that they turn their eyes to the true wealth that only the Lord provides. 

From this cover letter to Laodicea, one should also take this quote:  "Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise."  It is a saying that one could use for reflection and meditation.  The reference to dining here, is to the eschatological banquet:  the "party" that will be held for the wedding of the Lamb and His Bride.

In both the letters to Sardis and Laodicea, "white garments" are mentioned.  These are the garments that later on will be referred to as "washed in the blood of the Lamb" — the garments of martyrdom.  Reference is also made to "unsoiled garments" and indirectly to "soiled" ones.  The allussion is clear:  these are the garments of baptism which symbolize the Christian dignity (cf. Rite of Baptism).  There is a continuity between the unsoiled garments those in Sardis and the white garments of the victor:  it is the same robe kept clean and used in the victory procession later on in the book.  It is the robe that the Christian is admonished to keep unblemished until the coming of the Lord.

Read an explanation of the Gospel reading here: Today, Salvation Has Entered This House

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