Matthew 21: 23-27
When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them in reply, "I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John's baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?" They discussed this among themselves and said, "If we say 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet." So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know." He himself said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for those who are discerning their vocation.
There are a lot of people I know who live their lives asking the question, "was Jesus' teachings of heavenly origin?" If you can accept that it is heavenly origin, then the question comes, "why do you not believe Him?"
Along with December 8th being the Immaculate Conception, a lot of the news media covered that it was also the anniversary of the death of John Lennon. He wanted us to imagine a lot of things, including imagining that heaven didn't exist. Why would he desire this? I imagine that if he were asked the question about the origins of Jesus' teachings, he would counter saying that there is no heaven making the point moot.
Imagine if John Lennon did believe in a heaven and that Jesus' teachings came from Heaven. Would that mean that he would have to order his life according to Christ?
For many, it's easier not to believe in a heaven because it is just too hard. It's easier to reach for a distraction or satisfy an urge rather than "loving your neighbor" or "seeking first the Kingdom of God."
Imagine all the people living for heaven.
Imagine living today with the hope of eternal joy.
You may say I'm a dreamer,
but I'm not the only one.
I know some day you will Him
Praising God, we'll be as one.
Take care and God Bless.
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