A story is told about two basketball players who agreed that whoever dies first should inform the other if there’s basketball game in heaven. One of them died and he appeared to his surviving friend in a dream saying: “Buddy, I got some good and bad news for you. The good news is that there’s basketball game in heaven and I play guard. What’s the bad news? His friend asked. You will play center in tomorrow’s game.
Some are asking me about the next Divine Mercy pilgrimage. People are excited to travel abroad and see places especially those who have the means. Summer and Christmas are usually peak seasons. In Jesus’ time the issue went far beyond traveling abroad when someone asked Jesus; “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” It’s a question about the trip to heaven, so to speak, as if they’re sure of entering it exclusively for themselves.
It was a wrong question posed to Jesus which he quickly defied, telling the people that heaven is for everyone, people will come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last. Lk. 13: 30).
There those who believe that because of their good works and charitable donations they’re entitled to heaven. These acts are good and commendable. There are also some who claim credit for their efforts on church projects and activities, even feel owning them or with a sense of entitlement.
Heaven is a pure gift of God to us, and attaining it is not conditioned by any human effort or virtue. In His total and absolute disposition, God gives it to anyone, unlike any elite club or social organization that belongs exclusively to its members. In human enterprise, there are some who claim credit for doing some church and community works and activities even somehow feel owning them or with a sense of entitlement. Still there are some who claim credit over some achievements and projects disregarding others who worked even harder in the process. And worse still, they force the issue for their self-serving and self- glorification motives.
On the opposite viewpoint, the right question to ask is, “how to get to life everlasting? Jesus talked about the Narrow and the Wide gate that leads to life. He said: “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. “(Mt. 7:13-14).
The Narrow gate means love of God and neighbor, sacrifices, faithfulness, obedience to God’s commandments and His church, being kind and merciful, humble and patient among others. Only few take this road Jesus said.
The wide and broad road would mean vanity, disobedience to God and His church, proud and arrogant, hateful and mean, boastful and inconsiderate among others. Which road are you walking on now?
Let’s always seek the guidance of God so as not to fall into the trap of an attractive road but leads to destruction. In our prayer and what we do, let’s be humble and seek God first, and we we’ll surely be guided to ask rightly, not a wrong question.
Someone said that, every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. Motivation gets you started and habit keeps you going. Whatever is good for your soul, do it. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3). Who cares for your beauty if your tongue is ugly? Focus on what you have instead of what you don’t have, on what’s right instead of what’s wrong and where you’re going instead of where you’ve been through. Amen on that folks!!
St. Faustina wrote Jesus’ words:” speak to the world about My Mercy.” (Diary 1190).
Pray the Divine Mercy every 3 p.m. Daily recite the Chaplet of Mercy and the Holy Rosary for peace in our families and in the world.