19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

August 12, 2001

The story is told of a blacksmith who saw an angel who came to take him to heaven. The blacksmith was very grateful for the opportunity to go to heaven, but he said he needed more time on earth. The harvest of his village was about to take place and he wanted to help.

The angel spoke to God and God agreed.

There were many other times when the angel came, but the blacksmith needed more time to help someone else.

Finally the blacksmith grew old and weary and prayed that the angel come to take him to heaven. When the angel appeared, the blacksmith said to the angel, "If you want to take me home, I am willing to live in God’s kingdom forever."

The angel looked with the blacksmith with delight and laughed, "Where do you think you have been all these years?"

We are people with many things to do and with many concerns. When we make the work and concerns of God our first priority in our lives, we will gradually, as the blacksmith, enter more into the kingdom of heaven and most definitely be ready to greet the Lord when He comes again.