Christ the King - 34 Sunday A

Paddy the Irishman met St. Peter at the gate of Heaven. Peter showed Paddy all the wonderful mansions, like a tour of the world, posh homes, beautiful holiday resorts. Then he showed him a shabby tumble down hut, and said ‘Paddy that’s yours’. Paddy was very disappointed, and asked for an explanation .Peter said ‘That was the best we could build with what you sent us from earth .It is a fun story, but it reminds me of Matthew’s Jesus story today.

Matthew was a Pharisee, and a Taxman. I think that he tells the story of Heaven with a taxman mentality, which says ‘Pay up or else ‘.We have heard all the excuses and none of them work. He also puts words in the mouth of Jesus that I could not imagine a Loving Father say like ‘Depart from me. Jesus said ‘Come to me, all you who are burdened. Also ‘Come, take and eat, and to the thief ‘This day you will be with me in Paradise ‘.

With God Our Loving Father all is given. We do not merit or earn God’s unconditional love. It would be like a baby saying that I earned or merited to be born .I think that the Jesus story to day is telling us the best way to live life now, for our own happiness .Life is about making others happy, lifting the burdens off people ,in a thousand different ways everyday, and it all counts in the Banquet of Heaven ...

Liam Hickey St. Ciarans Hartstown Dublin 15.

Click here for Home page.