The Kingdom of Heaven is here and now

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

What are the treasures that you hold most dear to your heart? What treasures really matter in your life? In today's gospel reading (Matthew 13:44-46) Jesus tells us that "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." If you were to find the Kingdom of Heaven today, would you be able to give up everything you own for it? This question is difficult to answer honestly because we all want the Kingdom of Heaven, but when we find it, it is difficult for us to give up our earthly treasures. If we look around, the Kingdom of Heaven is being built. The real question is, are we are a part of the construction crew. Here at workcamp, it is easy to see the Kingdom of Heaven in the work that is being done. I have had the most wonderful opportunity to go out and work with many of the work teams and to witness the Holy Spirit in his full glory. If you will stop and look, you will see the Kingdom of Heaven all around us. However, fully discovering and embracing the Kingdom is a different story. To embrace the Kingdom means to sacrifice and to suffer for God. Sometimes those sacrifices may mean giving up friends who lead you away from the Kingdom. It may also mean making difficult decisions in which you must chose between church and a movie or a retreat over a football game. If you truly discover Christ, you will truly discover the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven is here and now. It is being built around you. If you want to go to heaven, don't wait, it's here. When you help someone else, when you give freely of the talents you were provided you experience heaven.

A Simple Prayer

"Lord Jesus, reveal to me the true riches of your kingdom.

Help me to set my heart on you alone as the treasure beyond compare with any other.

Free my heart of any inordinate desires or attachment to other things

that I may freely give to you all that I have in joy and gratitude for all that you have given to me.

May I always find joy and delight in your presence."

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon