Fourth Thursday of Easter

So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said, "Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt. With uplifted arm he led them out, and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert. When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.

There is a Promised Land waiting for us at the end of this life. We need only follow God to where He wants us to be. There may be times when we feel like we are wandering in a wilderness. There may be enemies that stand in our way. However, one day we will leave the desert behind, overcome our enemies, and enter into our inheritance. When that day comes we have hopefully done all we can to prepare for our entrance into the Kingdom of God.

Are we preparing ourselves for the Promised Land? How can we keep our bearings in the desert of the world? What enemies and obstacles must we overcome to reach the Kingdom of Heaven?

O Lord, exalt us and lead us to the land of our inheritance.

Amen.