Tag: kingdom of heaven

“You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.” | Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 23:13-22)

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.”

What Jesus says to the crowds and to his disciples, he says to everybody. Through their authority, the scribes and Pharisees have prevented people from entering the kingdom of heaven. In putting up obstacles, they open up paths to other spiritual realities and fail to find God’s presence. Where God is present, that is the path to follow, the way to the kingdom, whether here or in heaven. “You blind ones,” Jesus says to the scribes and Pharisees, “which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?” Paul’s letter describes an attitude of love and thanksgiving, which opens the doors to the kingdom of heaven. What opportunities does God present to us today to open the doors to his kingdom?

God, help make me worthy of your calling to “bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith.” There are times when it is hard to get past the barriers that present themselves during the day, whether self-imposed or beyond my control. I want to gain admittance to your kingdom, here on earth and in the life of the world to come. Help me desire this more and more, Lord, for the sake of your glory. I have nothing to give you that you haven’t given me first, the giver of all good gifts. With my effort of faith, take from me all I do have, and in your mercy break it and bless it as I seek to enter your kingdom.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“One of these little ones.” | Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the Gospel acclamation: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14)

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”

Jesus tells the disciples that to become humble like the child, or as he says, “one of these little ones,” is to be constantly in the Lord’s care and under his watch. As the shepherd of a hundred sheep goes in search of the one that is lost, so will our heavenly Father go in search of us, rejoicing when he finds us. Jesus says, “And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.” In the same way, God rejoices when even one lost soul is found and brought back into the fold. If Jesus commands as the Son of God that we become like children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven, it is good that we take this to heart and put it into practice today and every day.

God, grant me the wisdom to put aside the well-trodden ways maturity has brought me to and do as Jesus asks. When I call to mind memories of childhood and what it means to trust in the loving care of a father and mother, I understand what Jesus means about becoming like a child—humble and trusting in your lovingkindness and mercy. Suffering and hardship will come; it is inevitable. Ezekiel describes the scroll you gave him to eat, and on it was written lamentation and wailing and woe. Yet, in eating the scroll that you put in his mouth, he found that it was as sweet as honey so that he was able to go out and speak of your goodness to all who would hear your words. Help me, Lord, continually turn to you. Saints Pontian and Hippolytus, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“The Kingdom of God has come upon you.” | Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

From the verse before the Gospel: “Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, for I am gracious and merciful.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 11:14-23)

“But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

The language Jesus uses to describe exorcism clearly shows his divine identity and connection with the Father. Even more, by giving evil a name, Beelzebul, he leaves no doubt about the reality of demonic powers at large throughout the world. Although strong, Beelzebul does not have power over the undivided authority of God to cast him out. Jesus is the stronger one who overcomes him, eliminates his armor, and distributes the spoils of victory. In Christ’s initiative to unite himself to us with our free consent of the will, the Evil One’s power to divide falls to dust. Like the mute man Jesus exorcises, when we align ourselves with Christ, the stronger man, we proclaim his holy name: “Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

Father in heaven, by your finger Jesus drove out demons and restored people to wholeness. Let me ponder for a minute the areas of my life where I am mute, unable to speak of you in gratitude and praise. The spoils I have, Lord, I would count as meager, yet you attack and overcome anything in me that guards the possessions that belong to you—joy, freedom from sin, my desire to know and do your will. Give me the grace to open the door to your mercy so you can enter and cast out from me what does not belong.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” | Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

From the verse before the Gospel: “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; You have the words of everlasting life.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 5:17-19)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

“Until heaven and earth pass away,” Jesus goes on to say, “not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.” The law Jesus speaks of refers to his present day and to the time of the new heaven a new earth after his resurrection. In fulfilling the law and the prophets, Jesus brings to completion what is already present during his life and fulfilled through his death and resurrection—perfect obedience to the will of the Father. Therefore, Jesus teaches, “whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

God, help me understand that Jesus Christ your Son is the capstone. Through his life, death, and resurrection, he fulfilled the law and the prophets—all of salvation history—as the Messiah, the incarnate Word. With Christ comes a new heaven and a new earth, salvation for all and the hope of the resurrection. Lord, just as Moses spoke to the Israelites about your statues and decrees, urging them to observe your commandments, help me keep these words in mind today, which find their fulfilment in Christ: “However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Good news of great joy.” | The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:15-20)

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

After the shepherds find Mary and Joseph, seeing near them Jesus lying in the manger, they go out and proclaim the message the angel had shared with them before they began their journey: “Do not be afraid;” the angel said, “for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And then the shepherds witnessed a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to those on who his favor rests.” Mary must have been the first among those to hear the shepherd’s story, keeping all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

Father in heaven, thank you for sending Jesus and placing him in the care of Mary and Joseph. “Good news of great joy that will be for all people . . . a savior has been born for you.” These unknown, humble shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of Jesus. After seeing Jesus, they immediately go out and tell others what they had witnessed: “When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.” Lord, help me see the birth of Jesus as a way to get back to basics, unafraid to share with others what I have witnessed: Jesus is Messiah and Lord, a savior born for me and for all the people. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

From the second reading: “He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“May it be done to me according to your word.” | Fourth Sunday of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:26-38)

And the angel said to [Mary] in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

When the angel appears to Mary, he tells her that it is through the power of the Most High that Mary is to conceive the child Jesus. Through his birth, with Mary as his mother, Jesus is both the Son of David and the Son of Mary. In the Annunciation, we hear an echo of the words from the first reading, where God, speaking through Nathan the prophet, says: “I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.” In Mary’s obedience, God’s will is fulfilled in bringing forth the Savior who redeems humanity from sin, offering the gift of eternal life with the Father in the kingdom of heaven.

God, help me understand that what takes place in the Annunciation also takes place within me as I approach you in faith. Mary’s fiat is a confirmation of trust in you, that you deliver on every promise you make. As you say through the psalmist, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.” In the fulfillment of your promises through Jesus Christ your Son, you are with me wherever I go. Nothing is impossible for you. Help me say yes to you, to let it be done to me according to your word.

From the first reading: “And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“One among you whom you do not recognize.” | Third Sunday of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 1:6-8, 19-28)

Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

When John answers the Pharisees by saying that there is one among them whom they do not recognize, he refers to Jesus, who would soon appear to John to be baptized. John was not the light, the evangelist tells us, “but came to testify to the light.” The religious leaders of Jesus’ time questioned the identity of John and Jesus, holding them in obscurity rather than recognizing them. Despite that, John declares Jesus’ divinity at his baptism: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” He is the light of the world; John came to testify to that light.

God, just as you sent John to call people to repentance, help me also hear John’s message and prepare my heart to behold the one who is to come, the Lamb of God. The Pharisees questioned John and could not see the truth right before their eyes. Help me see the one John pointed to, that before me in the Eucharist is the same body and blood of the Lamb, the one Isaiah speaks of in the Gospel acclamation: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.”

From the second reading: “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” God, be the joy of my soul!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him.” | Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 17:9a, 10-13)

As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.”

Jesus speaks to the disciples after coming down from the mountain, where they had just witnessed his transfiguration. During the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appear and speak with Jesus. When the disciples ask Jesus about Elijah’s coming, the question must have been burning in their hearts, having just seen him face to face. Yet, it is also John the Baptist Jesus refers to when he says, “Elijah has already come.” Jesus tells them that just as John suffered at the hands of persecutors, “So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” In preparing the hearts of the people, John readies them for the coming of the Messiah and the fulfillment of his mission.

God, strengthen my faith to understand what I need to know. Just as the disciples ask Jesus questions in order to comprehend the role of Elijah in salvation history, I sometimes question how you work in my life through the lives of others. “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things,” Jesus tells the disciples, “but I tell you that Elijah has already come.” You work in time and outside of time to bring about goodness, a mystery beyond human understanding. Let me learn to trust you in momentous events as well as ordinary ones, the mountaintop moments as well as the ones where I tread level ground.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“To what shall I compare this generation?” | Friday of the Second Week of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:16-19)

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.'”

Jesus goes on to tie this comparison to the people of his day: “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'” Hearkening back to the first reading, Jesus sums up all of this by saying, “But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” In that reading, all human conjecture aside, it is God who leads and teaches, regardless of contradictory social expectations. “I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.”

God, help me trust in your ways. I often try to see beyond what I understand; in doing that, I’m timid to act when I should boldly follow where you lead. I can’t know your will fully if I fully understand where it is you are leading; if I do, then I’m acting more on plans comprehended than on plans that teach me to trust you. Jesus mentions calls to one another in the marketplace, not a dated image but one very relevant today. So many messages to manage and filter through, an exhausting mental task. Give me the peace and wisdom to know how to shut out the nonessential calls from the marketplace, how to find quiet. “The Lord will come,” the psalmist says, “go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace.”

From the responsorial psalm: “He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“I am the LORD, your God.” | Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:11-15)

Jesus said to the crowds: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Jesus makes clear to the crowds that he is the one who is to come, the Messiah. In the first reading, the voice of God is distinct; there is no question who is speaking: “I am the LORD, your God. . . . I will help you.” In the same way, Jesus claims his divine identity by saying that John is Elijah—the one who precedes the coming of the Messiah. In that coming, he opens the Kingdom of heaven to all who are willing to accept it. This is the same Lord whose Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages, and whose dominion endures through all generations.

God, in Isaiah I hear you speak in a booming voice that echoes throughout the world: “I am the LORD, your God.” In the Psalms, you stoop to meet me where I am, the God who is “gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.” In the Gospel, I hear your mild, insistent invitation to enter the Kingdom of heaven: “And if you are willing to accept it . . . whoever has ears ought to hear.” Now that I have heard you, give me the grace today to continue to hear you speak in the events and the people I encounter today. I want to be merciful and kind, but I know moments will come that I’m anything but that. Help me remember throughout the day whose divine assistance I call on: “That all may see and know, observe and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.”

From the first reading: “I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, “‘Fear not, I will help you.'” Saint John of the Cross, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.