Every time we utter a prayer, every time we sing a hymn, every time we repeat the Eucharistic Prayer, every time we reach out to those in need, we are sustaining the Vigil of the Church. Every baptized disciple of Christ is a minister of the Vigil.

The Lord has always called his people, whether Israel or the Church, to go beyond the requirements and live abundantly. Take risks. Climb a tree.

We are Ambassadors of Christ proclaiming the Kingdom as it is among us now and as it will come in eternal life. In that mission Jesus tells us to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. I think that this is what Jesus is getting at in this puzzling Gospel today: We are to use the gifts God has given us wisely.