Cycle C

Good News C39

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Luke 13:22-30 New American Bible

Luke 13:22-30 New International Version Bible Gateway

 

                                                   

What Must We Do to Get to Heaven?

“To be saved, enter through the narrow gate” Luke 13:24

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

 

You are a Child of God!

 

          When you look in the mirror, you are a reflection of God.  He created you in His image.  Look at those beautiful eyes!  Look at that grin!  God does nice work, doesn’t He?  He truly wants you to be happy, healthy, and successful.  He loves you very much. 

A new school year is beginning.  Are you saying:  “I can’t do this.  What you ask of me is too hard, Lord!  I am scared.  I don’t have enough energy.  I’m not smart enough.”  I cannot fit through that narrow gate.  Drop all of the excuses.  God will give you all the strength, energy, and brains you need. All you have to do is believe.  Believe that you can do it! 

          If you are having trouble with a subject in school, ask a student who isn’t having any trouble to help you.  Many times when another student tells you how to do it, you can understand it.  Or ask the teacher to please go over it with you one more time.  While you are doing this, make sure you are saying in your mind, “I can get this.  I can learn this.  I can understand this.  God will show me how.” Remember God’s love surrounds you! You are a Child of God!

God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses to share with His people.  If you obey these, you will get to Heaven. During the past few years, America has seen much violence, especially in our schools.  Today many States in the United States are passing laws that allow copies of the Ten Commandments to be posted in schools and other public buildings.  They hope that by reading these, children of all ages will be inspired to treat each other with dignity, honor, and respect. 

                           The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17)

1. I am the Lord, your God.  You shall not have false gods before thee.

                   (Do not give honor, praise, and glory to any false gods. There is only one God, the God of Abraham and Moses)

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.                     

                   (Do not curse or swear using God’s name)

3. You shall keep holy the Sabbath Day.                                                             

                   (Go to Church on Sunday)

4. You shall honor your Father and Mother.                                           

                   (Obey your Mother and Father)

5. You shall not kill.                                                                                         

                   (Do not take someone’s life)

6. You shall not commit adultery.                                                               

                   (Do not take your neighbor’s wife)

7. You shall not steal.                                                                                       

                   (Do not take things that do not belong to you)

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.                              

                   (Tell the truth; do not lie)

9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.                                                

                   (Do not desire strongly to have your neighbor’s wife.)

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.                                                

                   (Do not desire strongly to have your neighbor’s goods.)

         

          God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to explain it better.  Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:29-31)

          Jesus also said, “Love one another.  Love each other as I have loved you.  People will know you are my disciples by your love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

           God’s message is clear. Love God above all things and treat others the way you would like to be treated.  Then you are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.  You are going in the path God has chosen for you. He will smile and say, “Thank you, my Child.  Welcome to my heavenly kingdom.”

          Say the “Our Father” and ask God to help you choose his way in life.  Ask him to focus on always choosing the right way even when everyone else is going in a different direction.  If you ask God, he will show you exactly what choices to make to keep on the path to heaven’s gate.  Even if the pathway is narrow and it seems very hard to get through at the time, God will never forsake you and leave you alone.  He will always help you if you ask him.  When God brings you to it, he will bring you through it.  He will give you all the skills and materials you need.  God will deliver you from the path of evil, if you ask.

 

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen.”

            

 

 

Copyright © 2001, 2004 Joan Y. Edwards