Today's readings clearly passes a message or two to us, including the gospel readings and precisely the homily of today.
Our first reading themes "They shall bring all your brethren from all the nations" taken solely from the books of the prophet Isaiah 66:18-21
Here God is talking to each and everyone of us, telling us of a new home for all his children under the rule Nd domains of nations (in otherwords, this pilgrim life to a new and triumphant life)
The second reading themes "the lord disciplines him whom he loves." Taken from the letter to the Hebrews 12:5-7. 11-13. Now again, a reflection that you mostly need in your preparations for this promise as seen in the first reading. Discipline! Why discipline? What is this discipline?
Now of you read further you see highlights of instances indicated here. "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him who he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives..."
This is a clear expression given from this passage of the scripture that we must hold yet again fast unto that we may be disciplined as to our preparations for the promise God gives us today or perhaps reminds us of.
Logical instance of a son sent abroad to study, to learn, as time went on, there was peace and he was always excelling. But a day came and all orbs sudden, there was an outbreak of war or some crisis situation and he was found this situation. What will he do? What can he do? He is a Christian, a strong one at that, but God allowed war to come to this place, to meet this young man, he soon does what, panic, and this is normal for every individual. But later he stands up to face this crisis and still continue his studies, and in the course of his studies, he is given a way to escape this crisis or better still solve this crisis. This is discipline. If the young man was not disciplined as a Christian, he would probably panic all through the crisis. Good, you panic, but don't let it get the better of you, fret, but don't let it consume you. This my dear brethren is discipline. And it only comes by the grace from God who intends to discipline you for this same promise he had made earlier on.
This letter to the Hebrews was sent to discipline the brethrens at that time and also sent to us who're descendants of these Hebrew men and women.
"...For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths with your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint high rather be healed". This is the reward for discipline.
The gospel reading themes "Men will come from east and west, and sit at table in the kingdom of God" taken from the Gospel according to Luke 13:22-30
This is very clear even to a lay man. Here again brings out the rewards and punishment that will be served to those who duely deserve them. The rewards goes to those who are disciplined and the punishment to the undisciplined as it clearly states "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When one householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us.' He will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!' There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when hounded Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom and you yourselves thrust out. And men and women will come from the east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first and some first who will be last."
Highlights
* Discipline - discipline been described here is your ability to take control of any situation be it big or small, fair or unfair, bad or worse, good or better.
* Zeal - your ability to set your mind on a goal and pursue it, inotherwords, setting your mind and gaze towards eternal beauty which is in heaven.
* Endurance - your ability to endure through situations that are out of your hands and still pursue that bog goal.
* perseverance - your single ability to bear just as the same as endure. And your combined ability as one belonging to the Christian family to survive through with the utmost goal in mind.
* combat-ability- a new word, but this requires your courage(co), your mandate(m), your benign(b) self intact, your associative(a) skills, and your God given and activated talents(t). You need these to aim and pierce through any situation be it on a short term scale or a long term scale
* Trust- this is the peak on them all
Trust, faith, hope. We need them all to work towards perfection. We need them as we need the Trinity to gain this promise God has for us put in place.
May the good Lord help us achieve that utmost goals of ours and still help us focus on the eternal employment. May He help us build ourselves in Him and help us love him always. May the Good Lord bless and keep us. Amen.
Dominus vobiscum!
Simple and precise only if you are dedicated to the word and the word which was made flesh.
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