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YOU ARE A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • Oct 25, 2022
  • 2 min read

Today’s Readings:

Amos 6:1,4-7; Psalm 146:7-10; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31




Today, the Church reminds us that we are citizens of heaven. Our journey through this world is a preparation, a dress-rehearsal for our life in heaven. How are you getting ready? How should you get ready?


As a citizen of heaven, be aware that:

  • LOVE IS THE FIRST: Grow in your love for God, for your neighbour and yourself. Do not be selfish.

  • SHOW CONCERN FOR THE POOR: Saint Basil the Great says, “The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked”.


SUPPORT THE CHURCH: It is one of the six commandments of the Church;

  • Join a society.

  • Attend spiritual programmes,

  • Sponsor Church projects,

  • Contribute to the maintenance of Church structures and ministers,

  • Support the Church’s apostolate to the poor.


INVEST IN YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE: You are part of God’s people on earth. Make it a

priority to build your faith and work out your salvation in fear and trembling. Keep your eyes

fixed on heaven. You will not stumble into heaven. You have to consciously choose heaven.


WHO ARE THOSE WHO SHALL BE CAST OUT OF HEAVEN?

  • Those who are selfish.

  • Those who are careless with their faith.

  • Those who neglect to take care of the poor and needy.

  • Those who are proud and refuse to acknowledge or be associated with God.


WHAT IS THEIR LOT?

They cast themselves out of heaven by their selfish life on earth. They chose hell. Hell is the “Definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed” (CCC 1033).


BUT YOU ARE MADE FOR HEAVEN:

  • We are those who have washed their souls clean in the blood of the lamb (Rev 7:14);

  • We are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21);

  • We are friends of Jesus (John 15:15);

  • We dwell in love (1 John 4:16);

  • We take care of Jesus in the poor and needy (Mt 25:40);

  • We are filled with every material and spiritual gift (Ephesians 1:3);

  • We come to the aid of the Church in need (Ephesians 4:12);

  • We are marked with the sign of the lamb (Revelation 14:1);

  • You are partakers in the glory of heaven (2 Peter 1:4);

  • We are blessed forever and ever (Psalm 21:6).


REMEMBER:

1 Corinthians 4:7 – “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” Be proud of your spiritual heritage and destiny. Celebrate it today and always and live out your faith boldly and God will continue to bless and strengthen you.

JUDE-MARY OWOH




Prayer:

  1. Lord, fill me with love and grace. Bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Free my heart from selfishness and pride. Help me to remember always that all that I have and all that I am is a gift from you.

 
 
 

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