Who gets in and who doesn't???

I don't remember where I saw this today, but it got me thinking about what it takes for a soul to find Heaven.

"It was time for the final judgement and all the souls were gathered at the gates of heaven. All of a sudden, a murmur rose up among the souls as folks were saying, "There is a rumor that God is going to forgive EVERYONE!" Some souls were saying, 'That isn't fair, I worked my whole life to obey the commandments!' Others muttered 'He can't do that, I gave up so much to do the right things!' While others complained, 'I went to church every Sunday, this is wrong!'

At that very moment, all the complainers were denied admission to heaven, for LOVE had appeared and they REFUSED to accept it."

Reminded me that the Church (COMMUNITY) is a hospital for sinners not a country club for the righteous or a museum for saints...

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Daily Mass Readings
Wisdom 2:1a,12-22
Psalm 34:17-21,23
John 7:1-2,10,25-30

A morning distraction

In the middle of a muddled attempt at praying Lauds this morning, I heard a distant squeaking noise. It sounded like the unoiled metal of a machine. I looked at my watch; 6:15am.

"REALLY?", I thought. "What could that neighbor of mine be doing? He has workmen at the house already?"

Just as I'm about to throw on my jacket and start some ruckus with the offending workmen AND my neighbor, I listened more carefully, as something about this squeaking began to sound familiar. It was the chirping of birds in the backyard tree that I'd not heard in a year. Smiling, I sheepishly took my jacket off and went back inside.

Perception is everything.

Solemnity of St. Joseph
Daily Mass Readings
2 Samuel 7:4-5a,12-14a,16
Psalm 89:2-5,27,29
Romans 4:13,16-18,22
Matthew 1:16,18-21,24a