“MY HOME IS ON THE OTHER SIDE”

Homily

November 21 WEDNESDAY

33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Year-B

Readings: Rev 4:1-11; Lk 19:11-28

At dusk, a little girl entered a cemetery. An old man who sat at the gate said to her, “Aren’t you afraid to go through the cemetery in the dark?” “Oh, no,” she replied, “my home is just on the other side.” That home is heaven where God dwells with his angels who never stop singing, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty” (Rev 4:8). God’s holiness is his perfection. When we recognise something of the goodness in our neighbours, when we appreciate beauty in creation, and when we experience human love, we are able to have a glimpse into the perfect goodness, perfect beauty and perfect love of God. What is more, we have been promised a share in the perfection of God in heaven. The parable of the talents in the Gospel reminds us to use our God-given gifts, small or big,, even if it is just one (Lk 19:13), to prepare ourselves to enter into our heavenly home. Are we using our talents only to improve our lives financially and socially? Or, have we used our gifts to come to a better knowledge of God with whom we will finally be united forever? We are not citizens of the world trying to get to heaven, but citizens of heaven making our way through this world. It is not the Christian doctrine of heaven that is a myth, but the humanist dream of utopia on earth.