Homily for Monday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus was critical of those who hindered others from believing in Him. At one point, He chastised His own disciples for trying to prevent children from coming to Him, despite their parents wanting them to do so. He also rebuked those who attempted to stop the blind man Bartimaeus from reaching out to Him.

Rather than closing off the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus calls His followers to open it up to others. This is not an individual task but a shared responsibility. We are meant to guide one another to the Lord, reveal the Lord to each other, and support one another on our journey toward Heaven.

The Gospels are filled with examples of individuals who brought others to Jesus, serving as a source of inspiration for us. Consider John the Baptist, whose life's purpose was to lead people to Jesus and, in doing so, to help open the Kingdom to others. His dedication and fervor can ignite our own passion for this shared mission.

As we navigate our pilgrimage through life, we rely on each other's faith and lived witness for support. This mutual encouragement is a crucial aspect of our shared experience as we journey together toward Heaven.