Homily for Monday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus was critical of those who hindered others from believing in Him. He chastised His own disciples for trying to prevent children from drawing near to Him despite their parents' wishes that they do so. He rebuked those who wanted to avert the blind man Bartimaeus from making contact with Him. 

Instead of closing off the kingdom of Heaven, Jesus calls upon His followers to open it up to others. This is not a solitary task but a shared responsibility. We are meant to guide each other to the Lord, reveal the Lord to each other, and bolster one another on our journey towards Heaven.

The Gospels are rich with examples of individuals who brought others to Jesus, serving as a wellspring of inspiration for us. Consider John the Baptist, whose life's purpose was to lead people to Jesus and, in doing so, to open up the Kingdom to others. His dedication and fervor can ignite our own passion for this shared mission. 

As we navigate our pilgrim way through life, we all rely on the support of each other’s faith and lived witness. This mutual support is a crucial aspect of our shared experience as we journey together toward Heaven.