Now we have to shape what some have started calling; The Church at Home. Although I keep asking myself; What do those who do not have a home do? For this reason, at the same time, I am declaring today in our Holyrood Church a Lenten day of prayer, fasting and reading the Bible in the Time of the Coronavirus.
The dignity conferred on us by baptism is a challenge to live up to.
Submitted by holyroodchurch on December 9, 2021 - 11:23
Reading: Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11.
Good morning happy Thursday, and many blessings my dear family.
In today’s Gospel (Matthew 11:11-15) Jesus continues his preaching to the crowds today. He is speaking of John the Baptist. He tells the people that no one has been born who is greater than John. Jesus follows this statement by saying that the “least one” in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
Who is the “least” in our world? In our town or city or family, who is the “least” among us? Do we see these individuals or are they simply part of the background of our lives? It also may be more comfortable for us to see only what we want to see. It can be natural to try to block out what is painful or difficult.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus sees the lost and the “least” and He is attentive to them. Jesus also wants us to have eyes and a heart that we will see the “little ones,” the “least” who are in our lives. Do we look for them? Are we attentive to them? Do we truly see them and then do what we can to help them?
Jesus has high praise indeed for John the Baptist. And yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he was. The dignity conferred on us by baptism is a challenge to live up to.
God does not force himself upon us. We must ourselves work at being Christians, but also never forget that it is all the gift of God.
What was it that placed John the Baptist below the least in the kingdom of heaven? He had preached the justice of God and the need for repentance; but he had not lived to see Jesus crucified, and in that, to see the unbelievable extent of God’s love for us.
Today may we pray that we will have the eyes to see the poor, the little ones, the least. May we also have the grace to help or console them in whatever way we can. It may be as simple as greeting them or listening to them! Or it may be helping them in some small way. To us, these acts may seem to be insignificant. However to the “other,” it may be a great gift! Who will we notice today?
Blessings,
Luis+
Date news:
Thursday, December 9, 2021 - 11:15
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