Fix our eyes to Heaven

Look up

All three readings today urge us to do one thing: fix our eyes on heaven.   In the first reading(Genesis 15:5), God told Abraham to look at the night sky.   “Count the stars, if you can. Just so . . . shall your descendants be,” he promised (Genesis 15:5).   Abraham, who was already advanced in years and childless, would somehow become the father of many nations.

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven” and not in this world (Philippians 3:20).   He tells us that we belong there, and that we should keep that truth in mind so that we can “stand firm in the Lord” (4:1).

And in the Gospel (Luke 9:28-36), Jesus gives Peter, James, and John a vision of his heavenly glory.   He knew he was headed for the cross and that his death would shake them to the core.   So he gave them this vision to strengthen their faith and encourage them, even as they saw him arrested, tortured, and killed.

Jesus wants us to fix our eyes on heaven as well.   He wants us to focus on his glory and his promises as we pray each morning.   He knows that if we do, we’ll give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to write these promises on our hearts.   We’ll let the Spirit show us Jesus’ love and mercy so that we can stay close to him during the day.

Here are some key promises you can fix your eyes on.   First, God promises to keep his covenant with you, just as he kept his covenant with Abraham.   Second, Jesus promises that your citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).   You belong to him!   And third, the Holy Spirit promises that if you fix your eyes on Jesus in prayer every day, you’ll begin to see him more clearly, just as the apostles caught a glimpse of him at his transfiguration.

Choose one of these promises today, and dwell on it.   Repeat it over and over.   Fix your heart on the way it reveals God’s love for you.   Look up to heaven, and let your heart be filled with all its goodness and grace!

Word Among Us