Jacob's Ladder
(c.1490)
Avignon, Musee du Petit Palais
TWO KINGDOMS
CHRIST predicted His Kingdom on earth would be small – small in members and small in its own humble estimation: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. This indeed is the smallest of all seeds; but when it grows up it is larger than any herb and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and dwell in its branches.”
Opposed to the kingdom of the anti-Christ is the visible, organized, universal Kingdom of Jesus Christ. These two kingdoms are in constant conflict – “by their fruits you shall know them” – The Kingdom of Light against Darkness; The Kingdom of Truth against Falsehood; The Kingdom of Sanctity against Sin; the Kingdom of Salvation against Destruction; The Kingdom of Life against eternal Death; The Kingdom of Love against eternal Hate.
There are two – and only two camps – that of Christ and that of the anti-Christ. Which leader do I habitually follow? Are my habits those of Christ? If not, God help me!
Purify my heart, O Jesus, my King, from all the pursuits of sinful self-love, and grant that my whole ambition and happiness may be to serve and love you as you deserve.
Note: Taken from “A THOUGHT A DAY – LITTLE THOUGHTS FOR LITTLE PEOPLE TO HELP THEM BECOME GOD’S GREAT SAINTS” (Assembled by A Father of the Society of St. Paul).