Daily Inspiration

“Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” -Luke 14:25-33
 
I’m often asked, “When we get to heaven, will we see our loved ones?” Only the Just Judge knows where they have been sorted. We should not assume our work for them is complete. When I pass, I ask each of you to pray for me daily. I know the sin in my heart and my need for purification.
 
The truth is that if you enter heaven, you will see God. Your eyes will be fixed upon the Most Holy Trinity, and you will never look away. As you gaze into Our Lord, you will see all He sees and know all He knows. You will be complete. Unless we place Him first in our hearts, above family, friends, and possessions, there is little hope for us to enter His house.
 
Heavenly Father, we pray now for all who have passed before us. We ask that they have been made pure enough to live with you for all eternity, immersed in the Beatific vision. We offer our prayers and sacrifices on this day for those who still await their purification. We ask that through the mercy of Christ, your Son, they may emerge from the crucible to live with You and all the angels and all the saints forever and ever. Amen.
 
Saint Leonard of Noblac Limonges, pray for us.
 
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Jesus, I trust in you.