Heaven was Opened

Greetings on this the Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Hg 2:1-9; PS 43:1, 2, 3, 4; Lk 9:18-22
Notes: Heaven was opened by Christ.

• Heaven remains open until the end of times.
• Heaven was opened by prayer.
• Heaven is always opened by prayer.

First reading
I covered this reading yesterday as part of the general understanding of the providential care of he Lord. Today, I focus on the Promise.

A promise that continues to this day and until the Second Coming.

My spirit continues in your midst.

For I am with you, says the LORD of hosts.
This is the pact that I made with you
when you came out of Egypt.

Greater will be the future glory of this house
than the former, says the LORD of hosts;
And in this place I will give you peace,
says the LORD of hosts!

Do not fear!
The Heavens were opened for you!

Responsorial Psalm
Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.

Alleluia Verse
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Gospel Portion
Jesus prayed often.
Maybe that sounds obvious to you but maybe it isn’t.
Maybe it isn’t our own practice and ‘reserved’ for the holy rollers?
Let us reconsider our prayer practice and frequency.

Luke presents Jesus at prayer at eight important points in his ministry:

• at his baptism (LK 3:21);
• at the choice of the Twelve (Lk 6:12);
• before Peter’s confession (Lk 9:18);
• at the transfiguration (Lk 9:28); (Today’s reading)
• when he teaches his disciples to pray (Lk 11:1);
• at the Last Supper (Lk 22:32);
• on the Mount of Olives (Lk 22:41);
• on the cross (Lk 23:46).

And in this gospel portion today revealed two major things.

Jesus: But who do you say that I am?

• Peter: said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
• Jesus: The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.

At Jesus’ baptism the Heavens were opened.
At prayer heaven and earth move.

Pray more.

Together, let’s pray the prayer Our Lord taught us:

Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses.
As we forgive those who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation.
Deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry