Jesus is the Ladder to Heaven

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season  : 5th January*

*Gospel : Jn 1:43-51*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 3:11-21*

*Jesus is the Ladder to Heaven*

*1) Angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man*

The Gospel of the day has this beautiful thought 

It is on the Son of Man, who is Jesus, the Angels of God ascending and descending

This gives us the impression that Jesus is like a ladder to heaven through which angels were ascending and descending 

In other Words, Jesus is the first straight ladder to Heaven 

*2) Cross is the Another Double edged Ladder*

Cross also powerful ladder through which one can climb up 

There are two beams in the Cross, which could be considered as two inseparable ladders 

First ladder connects the heaven and earth 

Second ladder connects  one heart with Another heart, or one human being with another Hunan being 

In either case there is a meeting point at the center

One can't reach God without touching the human being or human heart 

Likewise one can't reach the another heart without experiening God 

At the centre of the Ladder of the Cross, there is a meeting point, where human beings and God come together. That's the power of the Ladder of the Cross  

*3) All Gospel values are like, Straight Ladddres to Heaven*

All Gospel values are like straight ladders to heaven 

Forgiveness

Service

Humility

Truthfulness

Prayerfulness

Generosity

Sacrifice

Love

Harwork 

Commitment

So Christians have many straight ladders through which they can climb to heaven 

*4) Philip became the Ladder*

Philip is one of the simple disciples of Jesus 

Philip became a ladder first of all to Nathanael, whom he brought to Jesus 

In other words Philip became a ladder for Nathanael, through which He climbed towards Jesus and Jesus blessed Him 

Philip also became a ladder to a little boy, in feeding the Five Thousand people 

The Boy came to  Jesus through Philip, who became ladder to the Little Boy

*5)  Our Mission and Ladder*

We are called upon, to became ladders in the Kingdom of God 

Ladder helps us to climb up

Ladder gives us easy access 

Ladder can be used by many for good purposes 

If so, How about my life? 

Is it a ladder, first of all to me personally climb high? 

Is my ladder of Life helping others to climb towards Jesus ? 

Is my Life a ladder or a block? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*