The story is told that a man died and went to Heaven. He was met at the pearly gates by the apostle Peter who led him down the golden streets. They went past mansions after beautiful mansions until they came to the end of the street where they stopped in front of a shack. Peter said to the man, “Here’s your new heavenly home.” The man asked Peter why he got a hut when there were so many mansions in which he could live. Peter replied, “I did the best I could with the money you sent us.” On this 5th Sunday of Easter we talk about the kingdom of heaven – the kingdom of God – and we talk about hardship such as those caused by lack of money for food and for paying our many bills especially housing and medical. Most of us face these hardships that are especially “hard” for the poor and disadvantaged to endure. Consider that most of the people who have ever lived on this planet have been oppressed and poor. That was certainly the case during the time Jesus lived. Jesus called them t
