The last and highest result of prayer is not the securing of this or that gift, the avoiding of this or that danger. The last and highest result of
prayer is the knowledge of God—the knowledge which is eternal life—and by that knowledge, the transformation of human character and of the world.
… George John Blewett (1873-1912), The Christian View of the World
("Seek the Lord, while He may be found. Call to Him, while He is still near." Is. 55:6-7) |
IS 41:13-20; PS 145:1 AND 9, 10-11, 12-13AB
MT 11:11-15
Jesus said to the crowds:
"Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater
than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."
Reflection on the
Scriptures |
In the gospel reading from Matthew we hear
Jesus talk about the “Kingdom of heaven” in reference to John the Baptist. Jesus says, “among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist”, but goes on to say, “yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” The Catholic Study Bible suggests that the meaning of this statement by Jesus is that the greatness of John the Baptist lies in his role as the one who announces the kingdom of heaven. The message I heard in this is the invitation to be
like John and to boldly invite others to enter the kingdom of heaven. By being a part of the kingdom of heaven we too find our greatness.
- by Kathy Martin Revelations of Divine
Love - by Julian of Norwich
Fourteenth Revelation, Chapter 45
“All heavenly things and all earthly things that belong to Heaven are comprehended in these two
judgments”
And to all this I had none other answer but a marvellous example of a lord and of a servant, as I shall tell after:—and that full mistily shewed. And yet I stand desiring, and will unto my end, that I might by grace know these two dooms as it belongeth to me. For all heavenly, and all earthly things that belong to Heaven, are comprehended in these two dooms. And the more understanding, by the gracious leading of the Holy Ghost, that we have of these two
dooms, the more we shall see and know our failings. And ever the more that we see them, the more, of nature, by grace, we shall long to be fulfilled of endless joy and bliss. For we are made thereto, and our Nature-Substance is now blissful in God, and hath been since it was made, and shall be without end.
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