4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

You have approached . . . the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven.

A great deal has been written about the importance of birth order in a family: the assertive eldest child, the spoiled youngest child, the outgoing middle child. Or the only child who receives his parents’ undivided attention. However, things are different in God’s family. No matter how many sons and daughters he has, every one of us is equally loved. Every one of us is the most important.

Traditionally, the firstborn inherited the father’s title, lands, and wealth. But that’s not the case in the kingdom of God. Every one of us—including you—can lay claim to “the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones” (Ephesians 1:18). Everyone can approach God in prayer and expect to be heard. This means that, like the apostles in today’s Gospel (Hebrews 12:18-19,21-24), you can be God’s representative, a bearer of his peace wherever you go.

So what is it like being part of this heavenly assembly? How do we experience these blessings as we gather as Christ’s beloved body here on earth?

Primarily, we are marked by confidence. We can be secure in God’s love for us. We don’t need to compete with each other or jockey for that position. This means we can live and worship in harmony, voices blending rather than trying to distinguish themselves from the crowd. We can step forward to serve without worrying that we will fail. And we can respectfully step aside to let someone else freely exercise their gifts in their own unique way. We can ask Jesus to help us see how deeply he treasures each brother and sister.

So when your first thought is “What, her?” or “Really, him?” or even “Who, me?” practice saying “Of course!” Never forget that each one of us is special to our heavenly Father.

“Lord, thank you for setting your amazing love on me.”

Psalm 48:2-4, 9-11
Mark 6:7-13
Hebrews 12:18-19,21-24

WORD AMONG US