FIT FOR THE KINGDOM

Today's 1st reading impressed in my heart the words requests and favoring. This made me remember the many works of charity and mercy that I have witnessed in the community of God. We have all been to a point in our lives when we have experienced that our requests are granted and are given favors. It feels good when we encounter brothers and sisters in Christ, who have in one way or another shown their dependability and being an accommodating friend to us. We must not forget and always remember that these are all coming from the Lord and as we appreciate them we are also giving glory to God whose favoring hand is upon us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Nehemiah 2:1-8
...The king granted my requests, for the favoring hand of my God was upon me.

There are times when we forget or simply keep silent about the goodness done to us by other people. Though, it doesn't mean that we don't appreciate or have gratitude to them. What's most important is that every good thing done whether in secret or public can not escape the notice or attention of God who will definitely act according to what an All Knowing, Almighty, Holy and Immortal God deem fit and proper. We have our own personal reasons for not making it known or just simply forgetting about it and making it known. The psalm reading encourages us to always give praise to God in words, thoughts and deeds. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M
Psalm 137:1-2. 3. 4-5. 6
R: Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
...May my tongue cleave to my palate if I remember you not, if I place not Jerusalem ahead of my joy.

Who is fit for the kingdom of God? Do you know how many times the word heaven or the kingdom of God is mentioned in the bible? 832 times. That's how many it is. There are so many images and symbols used to describe heaven. God obviously wants us to know about it so that we can be with Him there. God the Father, Jesus, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Most Blessed Trinity is in heaven. Jesus the 2nd Person in the Trinity has gone before us to prepare a place for us. He said that He will come back again so that where He is we can also be. Jesus teaches about heaven in so many ways. Sometimes it is easier to picture something in stories and words. When Jesus taught, He liked to take examples of everyday life of the people and teach us about the kingdom of heaven a place of joy and happiness beyond our imagination. There are many images of heaven that are presented to us by Jesus in the bible. Everything that we suffered for the kingdom of God will be rewarded a hundredfold in heaven. God invites us to join Him and enjoy heaven that was prepared for us before the foundation of the world. It is not easy to always do the right thing. Sometimes we fail to respond in the best manner possible. Today's gospel gives a tip on how to do it according to the way of Jesus. We should always do things for the greater glory of God without any hesitation or doubt. Every single day we are always confronted with a lot of decisions that demonstrate where our loyalty lies. We may have decided on something but as we go along the way we find things that do not suit our comfort and expectations. This may cause us to have 2nd thoughts and doubts whether we really made the right decision or worse whether we still maintain the same conviction that we have before encountering this discouraging situation. For as long as we honestly and sincerely know in our hearts and minds that we intended to follow Jesus and acted on it then we should make a decision to really stick to it and never back out for to be fit for the kingdom of God is all worth it. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 9: 57-62
57 As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ...61 And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” 62 Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”