Citizens of Heaven

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us. For many, as I have told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their "shame." Their minds are occupied with earthy things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lonely body to conform to his glorified Body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.  

Consideration: Saint Paul's Letter to the Philippians is a message for us today as well. The enemies of the cross of Christ confront us on a daily basis in many forms. The world has proclaimed that it alone has the authority and power to control all things; the earth is their kingdom. We, on the other hand, occupy our blessed place here on earth; but long for our reward as citizens of heaven. Be strong; stand firm in the Lord; for the crown of joy and everlasting life awaits us. Amen. 

Repent!

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So Jesus addressed this parable to them. "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and goes after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does he finds it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. "Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I found the coin I lost.' in just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Consideration: Do you love Jesus? Do you want to please him for everything he has done for you; or is about to do for you? Do you want heaven to be filled with joy? Repent! Amen.  

Renounce all Possessions

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them. "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, "This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.' Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."

Consideration: Jesus is simply telling us that he is to be number one in our lives. There must be nothing that we put before him. For many, this will be impossible to do because of the attachments we have to the world and the things it has to offer. For those who love the Lord with all their mind, heart, and soul, this is a not a burden, but an act of absolute love of the Lord. Amen. 

The Dinner Feast

One of those with Jesus at the table said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God." He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many." When the time for dinner came, he dispatched his servant to those invited, 'Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ' I have purchased a field and must go and examine it; I ask you consider me excused.' I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.' The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in rage commanded his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.' The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.' The master then ordered the servant, 'Go out to the highways and the hedgerows and make people come in that my house may be filled, For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner,'"

Consideration: There will be many invited to enjoy the dinner feast in the Kingdom of God. Many though, will refuse the invitation and continue on in their worldly ways. But the Master will fill the tables with those who have overcome the world and its many difficulties; now they will enjoy the eternal reward for the obedience and loyalty that they endured for the Master. Amen.   

Resurrection of the Righteous

On the sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host that invited him, "When you hold a lunch or dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they might invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Consideration: Jesus gives us an example of how we are to be considerate and generous to others. We must give from the heart to all people and not to expect payment or anything else for sharing our blessings with others. Amen. 

Love and Humility

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on the people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Consideration: This passage is just as relevant today as it was when Jesus spoke it over two thousand years ago. Leaders of the church are called to love their flock and to sacrifice for them. The greatest honor that can be bestowed upon them is to be loved and cherished by the people of God. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Places of Honor

On the sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people were observing him carefully. "He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing places of honor at table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in places of honor. A more distinguished guest may have been invited by him, and the host that invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you, he may say, 'My friend, move up to the higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Consideration: Praise be the wisdom of our Lord, Jesus. He is telling us to remain humble; never to place ourselves above others. We must not allow our human instincts to lead us to irrational decisions. Let our humility be a witness of the character within. The Lord who sees all things will one day reward us for our humility and goodness. Amen.