Reflection on the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time:
The readings today ask us to focus on the magnificent breadth of God’s kingdom. Such a kingdom demands nothing less than converted hearts. There is a tendency in all of us to try to justify why we should be admitted to heaven. I suspect at times that all of us try to earn our way to heaven. However, the message of Jesus is that we cannot do this. None of us are 100% right or worthy of God’s kingdom. It is best to understand that the narrow door means that we accept Jesus, His teachings, and His decision to never give up on anyone. Jesus is among us to offer hope. Even the worst thief or evil person has a chance to be saved because of Jesus. We do not do this alone; and we only do good with the help of God’s grace. Each one of us is always in more need of conversion. The people who have touched our lives the most are more remembered not because they were sinless, but that they reflected more of God’s graces than personal pettiness or selfishness.
Conversion is the invitation to see all people as sisters and brothers in God’s kingdom and Gods’ plans. This means for us to let go of our masks, try to read the human heart and leave the recordkeeping to someone else. If we were to look for the extraordinary efforts of others, we would be amazed at how often people go way past our expectations. Hopefully, we would praise God, say “thank you” to them and notice how God invites us to continue or do the same for others.
Please enjoy the remaining days of summer.
This entry was posted in Columns, Letters. Bookmark the
permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
Facebook
From Your Pastor
Reflection on the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time:
The readings today ask us to focus on the magnificent breadth of God’s kingdom. Such a kingdom demands nothing less than converted hearts. There is a tendency in all of us to try to justify why we should be admitted to heaven. I suspect at times that all of us try to earn our way to heaven. However, the message of Jesus is that we cannot do this. None of us are 100% right or worthy of God’s kingdom. It is best to understand that the narrow door means that we accept Jesus, His teachings, and His decision to never give up on anyone. Jesus is among us to offer hope. Even the worst thief or evil person has a chance to be saved because of Jesus. We do not do this alone; and we only do good with the help of God’s grace. Each one of us is always in more need of conversion. The people who have touched our lives the most are more remembered not because they were sinless, but that they reflected more of God’s graces than personal pettiness or selfishness.
Conversion is the invitation to see all people as sisters and brothers in God’s kingdom and Gods’ plans. This means for us to let go of our masks, try to read the human heart and leave the recordkeeping to someone else. If we were to look for the extraordinary efforts of others, we would be amazed at how often people go way past our expectations. Hopefully, we would praise God, say “thank you” to them and notice how God invites us to continue or do the same for others.
Please enjoy the remaining days of summer.