The Door to the King’s Garden
In a quiet village nestled between green hills, there was a beautiful garden behind a tall stone wall. The garden belonged to a kind and joyful king. Every child in the village dreamed of visiting it, but there was only one small wooden door to enter, and it could only be opened by the king himself.
One day, the king sent out a message:
“The door to my garden will not stay open forever. Come now, while there is still time. Come to know me, and I will welcome you in.”
Some children laughed and said, “We’ve heard of the king, but we’re too busy playing!” Others said, “We’ll just wait, we have plenty of time.”
But a boy named Leo was different. His Godfather, Uncle Pete, had always told him stories about the king, and each Sunday, he brought Leo to the castle to hear the king’s words and spend time in his presence. Leo learned to love the king, not just as a name, but as a friend.
Each week, Leo felt closer to the king. “Uncle Pete,” he once asked, “is this how we get ready for the king’s garden?”
“Yes,” he smiled. “As we listen to his voice and when we receive his gifts, we get to carry him in our hearts.”
One morning, the king arrived in the village. The little wooden door creaked open. A long line formed, but the king only welcomed those he truly knew.
Some shouted, “We saw you once at a festival!” Others cried, “We heard your name before!”
But the king gently replied, “I don’t know you. You never came to walk with me, listen to me, or share a meal with me.”
Then Leo stepped forward. The king saw him and smiled. “Leo! You listened to my words, you shared my table, and you opened your heart to me. Come in, my friend.”The door swung wide, and Leo stepped into the most beautiful garden he had ever seen.
Moral: Jesus invites each of us to know Him deeply, not just by hearing His name, but by spending time with Him. When we go to Mass, listen to the Gospel, and receive Holy Communion, we walk with Jesus and grow close to Him. The door to His Kingdom is open now—let’s get to know Him and be ready when He calls us in.
Based on Luke 13:22–30
