Monday September 29th, 2014 St. Michael and All Angels Luke 10:17-20
"Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (verse 20)
In our world, we celebrate our successes and these successes advance us. This is true in school, at work, in volunteer organizations and at home. Our children receive good grades and they are promoted to the next grade in school. We perform well at work and we recieve promotions or raises. Volunteers are recognized if they have contributed significant talent or time. That’s how it works in our world, we celebrate success. However, not everyone has these successes to celebrate; there are those who seem to have nothing to celebrate here on earth.
By Jesus’ standards, it is backwards to celebrate our victories instead of celebrating that our names are written in heaven. Through God’s love and grace, we have been forgiven our sins through eternal life. That is a success worth celebrating, and everyone who believes can celebrate this gift. The young, the old, the healthy, the sick, the wealthy, the poor, the homeless, everyone who believes in Christ has been given the gift of eternal life. We are truly equal in God’s sight and that is certainly worth celebrating.
God of love, help us to celebrate the true gifts we have been given, eternal lift through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — GB
Contributed by Backwards thinking
In our world, we celebrate our successes and these successes advance us. This is true in school, at work, in volunteer organizations and at home. Our children receive good grades and they are promoted to the next grade in school. We perform well at work and we recieve promotions or raises. Volunteers are recognized if they have contributed significant talent or time. That's how it works in our world, we celebrate success. However, not everyone has these successes to celebrate; there are those who seem to have nothing to celebrate here on earth.
By Jesus' standards, it is backwards to celebrate our victories instead of celebrating that our names are written in heaven. Through God's love and grace, we have been forgiven our sins through eternal life. That is a success worth celebrating, and everyone who believes can celebrate this gift. The young, the old, the healthy, the sick, the wealthy, the poor, the homeless, everyone who believes in Christ has been given the gift of eternal life. We are truly equal in God's sight and that is certainly worth celebrating.
