Heaven and Hell

'The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that provoke offences and all who do evil, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears!’
Mt.13:40-43

Jesus is explaining his parable of the weeds among the wheat. He is quite clear that not all will gain heaven, that a number of people will be thrown into what can only be called Hell.

This would be the most side-stepped passage of the Good News. There is heaven. There is Hell. There is a choice. My business is to help gather as many as possible in my corner of the world for the Kingdom. Starting with my family.

Lord, sometimes I'm not the greatest witness for heaven. Help me be an authentic witness for you so that the fires of Hell run out of fuel.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Stories

In all this Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables; indeed, he would never speak to them except in parables. This was to fulfil the prophecy: I will speak to you in parables and expound things hidden since the foundation of the world.
Mt.13:34,35

Jesus is teaching the people about great things, about the kingdom of God. To do so effectively he uses parables in a language the people understand.

A parable is a story with a point. Jesus knew how to teach a common crowd. He used stories about things the people recognised to expound on great theological truths.

I'm attempting to write. One of the first things I'm learning about writing is that it must matter, it must have a point that the reader can embrace. Powerful stories can move a people.Christmas charities in England blossomed after Dickens published A Christmas Carol.

This is encouraging for me in my self doubts about my writing.

Jesus, anything creative in me comes from you. Help me in my writing efforts that you may be glorified in what I write.
Little Flower, please pray for me.