Sunday 24 January 2021

Sleep-walking into hell

 

Father Ignatius’ sermon started with a warning.

“You will not like my sermon today!” he declared.

“In fact I don’t like it myself and I would rather be giving you a different sermon. A gentle one which tickles your ears and makes you feel warm and comfortable.

“The reason I don’t particularly like this sermon is because perhaps it speaks to me too as well as all of you.

“When Jesus was raised to Heaven He gave His disciples and all of us a Mission. He asked us to go and preach the Good News about God and about Him.

“But are we doing as He asked? I mean each one of us in our daily lives, within our families, at work or wherever we may be? I don’t mean of course that you need to stand on a soap box in the middle of the street and shout at the top of your voice. Or knock from door to door and try to convince people on their doorsteps. Some people do just that and I admire their courage and determination.

“What I mean is” he paused for a moment to concentrate his listeners’ attention, “what I mean is, do people who know you recognize you as a disciple of Christ?

“Is there anything in your behavior or your character that is different? Something which makes people say ‘he or she is a Christian you know!’ Even in a derogative sense; at least it shows they’ve recognized something in you which is different.

“St Francis of Assisi advised his followers to preach the Gospel by the way they live.

“When people look at us do they see Christ in us?

“More important, when you look at the mirror in the morning do you see Christ there?”

He stopped again to ensure his point struck home. He then repeated slowly.

“When you look in the mirror do you see Christ?

“Our Lord said ‘Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do what my Father in Heaven wants them to do.’

“In other words we can assume that there are no parrots in Heaven!”

The congregation laughed silently. Father Ignatius went on.

“God requires from each one of us action throughout our lives. Each one of us is tasked, to the best of their abilities, to do something in their lives, just a little, day in and day out, to put Christ in someone else’s life.

“We can’t all be Mother Theresa and leave our native land and go help others elsewhere. And indeed God does not ask us so to do … not all of us anyway.

“To most people He asks that we live Christ everyday … in our families, at work, at play or wherever we go and whatever we do.

“It is not enough to go to church on Sunday, and then get on with our own lifestyles the rest of the time.

“Nor am I saying that we should spend our lives on our knees collecting scars and calluses. That is not the first thing that St Peter will check for when you get to meet him!”

They laughed quietly again.

“God does not want us to endure this life. He wants us to enjoy it. And at the same time He wants us to tell others that there’s better to come when we meet Him in Heaven.

“We can each do as God asks in our own way … and best of all by living the Gospels day after day.

“Instead … I fear; there are too many so called Christians who are sleepwalking their way into hell!” 

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28 comments:

  1. That is a sobering title. Not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord."

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    1. Hi Sandi,

      So nice to see you here again. Thanx.

      God bless you.

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  2. Hi Victor, a nice sermon, based on scripture. However, I do believe there are parrots in Heaven, after experiencing my NDE. God bless.

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    1. I had a parrot for lunch one. It kept repeating on me!

      I'm not sure whether there are animals in Heaven, Brenda. It would be awful if I met the Sunday roast telling me off for having eaten it.

      God bless.

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    2. I hope he bites your beak off VICTOR,CRUEL MAN.

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  3. Dearest Victor,
    An EXCELLENT sermon and one that is thought provocative!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Thank you so much, Mariette. I am so glad you liked this sermon from Father Ignatius.

      God bless always.

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  4. ...very appropriate in today's world.

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  5. More great inspiration from Fr. Ignatius! I loved this story, Victor; may we all take this advice.
    Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Martha. It is an excerpt from my book "God's Shepherd". I'm so pleased you liked it.

      God bless always.

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  6. Thank you for the reminder! I need that prodding now and again, especially when I look in the mirror!

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    1. We all need that prodding too, Cathy. Being Christian can be difficult for me sometimes!!!

      God bless you.

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  7. Timeless and true! I love this message.

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    1. Thank you so much, Mevely.

      God bless you and yours.

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  8. Replies
    1. Thank you Vivi. God bless you too.

      Please call again here soon and often. And invite your friends.

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  9. A sermon for everyone to remember as we go through life.

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  10. Father Ignatius always knows just the right words to use.

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    1. Yes he does. I wish I could write/speak like that.

      God bless, Kathy.

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  11. This one caused me to pause and reflect on my own effectiveness as a Christian woman. Thanks for this great reminder to do a self check from time to time. We are not called to be successful, but to be faithful.

    Blessings always, Victor

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    1. That is true, Nells. We are to be faithful to our beliefs, and the way we proclaim them.

      God bless you.

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  12. Amen! Reminds me of that saying, You may be the only Bible that someone reads.

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