Jesus is the Key to the Kingdom of Heaven

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 21st Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 16:13-20*

*First Reading : Is 22:19-23*

*SECOND READING - Rom 11:33-36*

*Jesus is the Key to the Kingdom of Heaven*

*1) Key in Today's Liturgy*

The first reading from the book of Isaiah and the Gospel reading from Matthew speaks about the *Key* and its importance

First reading tells us *I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut when he shuts, no one shall open.*

The Gospel reading tells us *I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”*

*2) Keys Speaks about Opening and Closing*

Both the readings speaks about opening and closing of something

The first reading tells us whatever is opened by Eliakim’s can be closed by anyone and whatever closed by Him can't be opened by anyone 

What a authority has been given to Him by the Lord 

In the Gospel it is Peter, who has been given the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to Open and Close about the riches of it, in this world and to be get nourished by it for the life of the Kingdom of Heaven

*3) Jesus is the Key of the Kingdom*

Before Eliakim’s and Peter got the Keys of the Kingdom, it was with Jesus 

In fact Jesus is the *Key* to kingdom of Heaven. It means only Jesus has the Power to open and close the Kingdom God 

But the Generosity, Love and Trust of God is so deep, he gave those keys to 

Eliakim and Peter

This is the greatness of God 

*4) Jesus as the Key of the Kingdom of Heaven Opened so many Things*

Jesus as the Key, opened Love 

Jesus as the Key, opened Forgiveness

Jesus as the Key, opened Humility

Jesus as the Key, opened Service

Jesus as the Key, opened Truth

Jesus as the Key, opened sacrifice

Jesus as the Key, opened salvation

Jesus as the Key, opened God's Mercy 

Jesus as the Key, opened divine  friendship

No power on earth can close these things from the Life of the Human beings 

*5) Jesus as the Key of the Kingdom of Heaven Closed so many Things*

Jesus as the Key, closed Hatred

Jesus as the Key, closed revenge

Jesus as the Key, closed Death 

Jesus as the Key, closed greed 

Jesus as the Key, closed arrogance

Jesus as the Key, closed hypocrisy

Jesus as the Key, closed jealousy

Jesus as the Key, closed gossip

There is no place for these above things in the Kingdom of Heaven 

*6) We are Given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven*

Like Peter all of us have been given keys of the Kingdom of heaven in the sacrament of Baptism

All the above mentioned things are the various keys of the Kingdom of heaven. We are suppose to  use them and try to open the kingdom of God, in order to enter into it.

Am I able to use these keys in responsible ways to open the Kingdom of Heaven?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*