Who’s Important

21 Aug

“Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”  (Mt 19:30)

There’s an old joke that someone died and went to heaven.  St. Peter met that person at the Gates and ushered the person into heaven.  St. Peter said, “Let me give you a quick tour.”

So he took him to one section of heaven and they saw all sorts of people laughing and having a wonderful time.  Another part of heaven saw just as much joy and thanksgiving.  Yet another part of heaven saw people of every race and tongue, people and nation, praising God in one voice.

Finally, St. Peter took the new person to the back of the heavenly realm where they saw an extremely large walled community.  The wall was so huge, there was no way for anyone to see over into it or outside of it.

As they approached the wall, St. Peter shushed the new person, telling him to keep his voice down so that no one behind the wall could hear the two of them.  As they were leaving the area, the new arrival asked St. Peter why they had to keep so quiet.

St. Peter’s response was, “That’s where all the Catholics go when they get to heaven.  And they think they’re the only ones here.  We don’t want to disappoint them.”

Jesus was fighting that mentality with His disciples.  He told them that heaven was open to all people, not just an exclusive group.  They would probably be surprised to see who was in heaven.  Many who are last will be first, and the first will be last.

There is no earthly kind of priority in the Kingdom of God.

God invites all people and wants all people to share equal glory.

Does that encourage you or disturb you?

FAITH ACTION:  Is there a certain group of people you have a hard time dealing with or accepting?  Is it because of their race, their nationality, or their skin color?  Is it because of their religious affiliation or their political affiliation?  Is it because of their sexual orientation?  Is there a reason for your not being willing to accept someone?  Tear those walls down today.  God invites all people into His Kingdom.