Dear Parishioners,
What is the Kingdom of God like? Jesus taught a lot about the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God (kingdom is used 126 times in the gospels). While it may seem that the kingdom is complex—Is it now or in the future? Is it here on earth or in heaven? Does it have to be sought, or is it given automatically—Jesus also seems to make it simple: “The kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21).
In Matthew’s gospel readings from last weekend and today, Jesus’ six descriptions of what the kingdom of heaven is like have some common characteristics: it’s something discovered (like a buried treasure or a pearl of great price) and it seems to magically grow (like a mustard seed or activated yeast).
Ask. In what ways can we discover the kingdom of heaven and make it grow within us? King Solomon provides a model for us in today’s 1st reading:
God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”
Solomon answered, “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.”
God replied, “I do as you requested.”
Solomon does not ask for “a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies.” Rather, he asks God, in effect, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done… in my heart.”
While we receive the kingdom of heaven at our Baptism, we are called to preserve it in our hearts through prayer and frequently receiving the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, so that God grows His kingdom in our hearts like a mustard seed and we continually discover it like finding a buried treasure. St. Paul describes this transforming effect in Romans 12:2: “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Ask. Wouldn’t it be great if God would say to you and me what He said to Solomon: “Ask something of me and I will give it to you?” He did! Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given you.” (Matthew 7:7). We just need to ask, like Solomon did, for what He wants to give us, which is the kingdom of God in our hearts.
Ask. Discover. Grow. With Jesus. Can you think of a better setting to dialogue with Jesus and discover and grow His Kingdom in your heart than being in His Real Presence? Starting in October, during this Year of Eucharistic Revival, all in our pastorate are invited to spend a Holy Hour (or part of it) with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration on the 1st Friday of the month at 7:00 pm in St. Jane’s church. Jesus longs for us to spend time with Him in this special way, to fill us with His radiant love, so we can carry His Kingdom in our hearts through all our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of each day.
Peace in Christ,
Father Jim
