Homily: September 10,2025, Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time (Thoughts)

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 “Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.”

We might have heard of this phrase: “What you think, that you become.” This quote has often been attributed to Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and I think there is a lot of truth in it. If you are constantly or regularly thinking about a certain thing, you will over time gravitate towards it, and bring it to reality, either in accomplishment or in imitation.

There is a story about Napoleon Bonaparte. Once, he went to a palm reader and asked him to read the lines on his hand to foretell his life in the future. The palm reader told him the regular usual stuff, but Napoleon wanted to know something more important, he interrupted and asked: “Do you see any possibility that I could become a king?”

The palm reader replied, “No. Every king has a special line on his palm, but you don’t have it.”

Napoleon immediately took a knife, cut his palm, and drew out that special line in his palm for himself. The palm reader then said, “Yes, you will be an emperor.”

Napoleon had always wanted to become a king and would do everything possible to make it happen. With his determination, constant thought and hard work, he finally achieved it.

That constant thought is a focus. With a clear and unwavering focus, we would naturally gather all our energies and resources towards that focus. It can be a powerful force. If we channel our thoughts towards good, our life and the lives of others around us will be blessed. But if we channel our thoughts towards evil, the world around would be in danger.

So what do you think about most of the time? Are your thoughts positive and good, or negative and harmful? Do you tend to think about joy or sorrow?

Today St. Paul says: “Think of what is above.” What does this mean?

St. John Don Bosco also said, “Walk with your feet on earth, but in your heart, be in heaven.”

Yes, we should think about heaven all the time, channeling all our efforts and energies towards the life eternal with God in the heavenly Kingdom.

Set our feet on earth and walk firmly with integrity, but keep our hearts focused on heaven, and we will be filled with joy and peace. 

When we set our minds on what is above, God will guide us on the right path. Seek first, and constantly, the Kingdom of God, and we will reach our destined treasure of heavenly life surely and most certainly. Amen.


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