YOUR INHERITANCE

… giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. – Colossians 1:12

I’m no rich woman. But unlike my Dad and Mom whose parents didn’t leave them with anything, I stand to inherit something from my parents, no matter how small. In fact, they’ve already started to distribute their properties even while they’re alive.

I can’t stop thanking God whenever I think that while my parents started from scratch, I have an inherited nest egg to start with. It’s nothing like the multi-millions that some of  my friends have come into but it’s an inheritance nonetheless.

So when I think about the inheritance that my Father in heaven has in store for me, all the more I can’t stop thanking and praising  Him. Just imagine: I have a mansion waiting for me in a city whose gates are made of pearls and with streets paved with gold! That sure beats any multi-million peso or dollar inheritance anyone on this earth stands to gain.

So when your budget is short or problems of this world threaten to steal your peace, take a break and ponder on your heavenly inheritance. Then feel like the richest person in the world. Rissa S.

REFLECTION:

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21)

Lord, You are my inheritance!

2 Samuel 5:1-3

A King is supposed to be the shepherd of his people. This is true of all roles of  leadership – there is a pastoral element attached to them. It is important that we pray for our leaders, that they have this pastoral gift or at least are growing in it as without it they will be unable to connect with the people and they will become ineffective leaders. Jesus is a great leader because He knows the hearts and the minds of His people. This enables us to talk with Him and be understood.

1 All the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said “Here we are, your bone and your flesh. 2 In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.’” 3 When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel.

P S A L M

Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5

R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

1 I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” 2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) 3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. 4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD. (R) According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. (R)

2nd READING

Colossians 1:12-20

Jesus is the King of all Creation–– it is through Him that all things were made. This indicates to us that the consummation or fulfillment of all creation will also be in the person of Jesus. Jesus has redeemed not just humanity but all Creation from the futility and destruction of sin and recreated it in Himself to the glory of the Father. As we seek to live a renewed humanity in the hope of the resurrection, let us also recognize that this involves the making new of all Creation and thus we must ensure that our actions facilitate this renewal and do not just make the environment in which we live more damaged by the day.

12 Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. 13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

G O S P E L

Luke 23:35-43

The Kingship of Jesus is far greater than the mere kingship of the Jews! He is the King of all creation! In one sense His greatest kingly act is the choice to die on the cross for the salvation of mankind and all creation. It is this act that affirms indisputably His commitment to us, and all that is His, namely everything! Jesus is not seeking kingly glory or fame but is more concerned with demonstrating His kingly commitment to His people by leading us through death to sin and into the life of the glory of the resurrection. Jesus is the true King for me!

35 The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen  one, the Messiah of God.” 36 Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine 37 they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.”

40 The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of  God, for you are subject to the same  condemnation?” 41 And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

my reflections

think: Jesus is the King of all Creation–– it is through Him that all things  were made.

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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR  Acts 22-24

SABBATH PAUSE

My weekly time with God

THANK YOU LIST

Things to be grateful for from the past week

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SPECIAL NEEDS

Things to ask God for in the coming week

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HIDDEN TREASURE

Most important word God told me this week

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The Feast of Christ the King, which started out during the time when the nations of Europe were all being governed by monarchs, was a reminder to Europe – then known as “Christendom”– that Jesus is the ultimate sovereign  King. Amidst the political and philosophical upheavals that shook the European monarchies, the feast was a reminder that Christian kings and rulers ought not to forget – the absolute allegiance and the ultimate accountability of all is to Jesus. Today, when one can count with the fingers of one’s hand the existing and surviving political monarchies the world over, the figure of the King seems to be irrelevant. But the Church insists on celebrating the feast of Jesus as “King.”

Everything about the value of kingship is, to think of it, not lost.

Thailand’s unique history as a nation seems to be hinged on the charismatic and enigmatic personality of its constitutional monarch. Though a figurehead, and not a real political power, King Bhumibol is well-loved. When political impasse happened in Thailand, the figure of the king provided inspiration and moral strength. One word of the Thai king, and the Thai prime minister who is elected and holds the real political power according  to the nation’s constitution, resigns. The words of the King meant business. The celebration of the feast of Jesus as King makes us not just recall history… when Christian nations were ruled by monarchs. It makes us look forward – in the spirit of the approaching Advent. We do not await the coming of an infant Child. This was Bethlehem’s history over 2000 years  ago. Advent makes us await Jesus as “the Returning King” who will surely come this time with power and glory and justice.

Jesus means business! Are we ready to welcome him, and to be called to account for all that he has generously given us? Fr. Domie, SSP

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are we ready to welcome Jesus and to be called to account for all that He has generously given us?

Make this “Allegiance Prayer” part of your Morning Prayers from now on ––Dear God in Heaven, I pledge my allegiance to you. I give You my life, my work, and my heart. In turn, give me the grace of obeying Your every direction to the fullest possible extent. AMEN.

St. Moses, martyr and priest, pray for us.