Boys Allowed

Remembering we are citizens of heaven

Philippians 3:20-4:1

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified Body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

             When I was in grade school we had a class called “civics” and we learned about “citizenship.”  Who can tell me what a citizen is?  A citizen is someone who has full membership in a country.  It’s like girls who build a clubhouse and post a sign outside that reads: “NO BOYS ALLOWED!”  Only girls can be “citizens” of that country-club.  Now, if you’re a citizen of a country what privileges do you have that others don’t?  If you are an American citizen what can you do that those who are not American citizens cannot?  You can vote, like many people did on Tuesday.  That’s a great power and privilege.  You can become president of the United States!  How many of you want to be president?  (I don’t either.)  You can pay taxes!  The government thinks that is a privilege, but we just think it’s a pain in the royal rump.  It’s a great blessing to be an American citizen.

             In the first reading today, St. Paul talks about the best country to be a citizen of.  Does anyone know what that country is?  It’s heaven!  Is that even better than being an American citizen?  Believe it or not, it is!  What do you think will be some privileges that heavenly citizens will have?  We’ll get to ride on clouds all day and play “bumper clouds”!  We’ll get to eat pizza and Oreos all day!  We’ll get to see those who have died.  And the best thing of all is we won’t have to pay taxes!  Now there is a sad thing about heaven: boys will be allowed.  Sorry girls.

             Boys and girls, always remember you are citizens of TWO countries: America and Heaven.  That’s called having “dual citizenship.”  It’s like having one foot on earth and one foot in heaven: you belong to both countries.  I want you to remember that because America is wonderful but it’s not perfect and never will be perfect.  We've had problems in our country in the past, like slavery and we even fought a Civil War over it.  We will have problems in the future and we may fight more wars over those issues.  Of course, we always pray for our country and ask God to bless us and make this nation great.  But always remember there is only one perfect place to call home, and that is heaven.  That’s why St. Paul tells us today: “our citizenship is in heaven,” where even boys are allowed.

            Praised be Jesus Christ!