Saint John Neumann, Bishop

Jesus preached the Kingdom of Heaven. Saint John Neumann who we remember today came to America and spread the kingdom by building schools and churches and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Today as we head toward the end of our Christmas season our joy should be sustained by His light. We have just celebrated the Epiphany of Christ where the good news of Jesus Christ was illuminated in the birth of Christ for the world. Now as we approach the Baptism of our Lord this coming weekend we even more clearly see his coming into the mind and reality of mankind.

 

He is baptized and his ministry inaugurated. Now everything he does, reveals more of the kingdom to the world. And through healing and preaching and feeding the people he draws all to Him. And with this truth becomes man and reveals the hearts of all. Those who accept him and seek truth, rejoice. Those who do not accept him, are revealed as followers of the evil one. And their hearts are laid bare for all to see.

 

That is what Jesus brings to the world. A light that shines on all men so that their hearts are made known and there is no one who can keep one foot in the Kingdom of Heaven and one foot in the world. No one is neutral when Jesus stands before them. Whether it is in this life when we are introduced to the good news, or at the day of judgement, our hearts are opened and reflect what is inside.

 

 

When we leave this world and stand before God and the awesome holiness of our God and the heavens, the brilliance of the light and love of God surround us, it will be our own hearts that convict us by either being open to His love, or closed and cannot stand before the light and love of Jesus Christ.

 

Today the Kingdom continues to unfold and spread through the world. As we encounter Christ in others and His church, are we ready to open up our hearts and let nothing prevent us from taking His love inside us and becoming part of the kingdom or are we still on the fence. Only ..kind of… sort of.. praying. Going through the motions or are we falling deeply in love.

 

We are called to love. Called to choose love today. Choose to live for Jesus Christ and love others. We must be ready to be part of the kingdom in truth in this life, if we expect to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven in the next.