Heart in Heaven
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.”Ps. 1
The Lord knows that we are just passing through this earth, which can be compared to the 40 years of journey through the desert, in the imperfection and precariousness of this world and our human condition, until we reach the Promised Land, which is a metaphor for heaven. For this reason, God wants us not to become attached to anything in this world, to keep our hearts set on our final destination, not to get stuck by being dazzled by fleeting pleasures or the idols of this world, nor to stray from the path that Christ has set for us. Instead, we should follow Him as our sure guide until we reach His Kingdom.
This is why Saint Paul tells us:
“If you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on the things above, not on earthly things.”Colossians 3:3
Just as when you travel, your heart is set on the destination, on the family you will meet or the places you will see, you do not settle into the bus or airplane as if it were your final destination, refusing to leave it. The destination is incomparably better than the bus. Even if you like the bus, you must not become attached to it, because the destination is the true goal, which is far more worthwhile.
In other words, do not mistake the means for the end itself. Food is a necessary means for life, but do not turn it into the purpose of your existence, as those do who live to eat instead of eating to live. Similarly, the bus is a means, not the final goal–otherwise, you would lose sight of the purpose of your journey. It is just as absurd to become attached to this life as if there were no heaven, setting our hearts on the here and now as if there were no tomorrow. This earth and this body in which you live are merely the vehicles to reach the final destination, which is heaven. This pilgrimage on earth is not the goal but the journey. We are still in the process of growth and spiritual maturation, preparing to be born into full Life.
Saint Paul expresses it this way:
“Life is short. Therefore, those who are married should live as if they were not; those who suffer, as if they did not suffer; those who rejoice, as if they did not rejoice; those who buy, as if they did not own; those who use the things of this world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world, as we know it, is passing away.”1 Corinthians 7:30
In other words, we should not set our hearts on the things of this world, for everything passes-both joys and sorrows. Do not be overly enthusiastic about the former nor overwhelmed by the latter, for both are part of the journey, but they are not the final destination. Jesus also expresses this in the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor, those who suffer and weep, the persecuted, for they are walking toward the Kingdom of God. Lk 6.
Weekly Readings
Sunday: Jer 17:5-8/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6, (40:5a)/1 Cor 15:12, 16-20/Lk 6:17, 20-26
Monday: Gn 4:1-15, 25/Ps 50:1 and 8, 16bc-17, 20-21/Mk 8:11-13
Tuesday: Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10/Ps 29:1a and 2, 3ac-4, 3b and 9c-10/Mk 8:14-21
Wednesday: Gn 8:6-13, 20-22/Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, 18-19/Mk 8:22-26
Thursday: Gn 9:1-13/Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23/Mk 8:27-33
Friday: Gn 11:1-9/Ps 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15/Mk 8:34-9:1
Saturday: 1 Pt 5:1-4/Ps 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6/Mt 16:13-19
Next Sunday: 1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23/1 Cor 15:45-49/Lk 6:27-38
Observances for the Week
Sunday: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday: The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order; Presidents’ Day
Friday: St. Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Saturday: The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle
Next Sunday: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
