Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
Jesus speaks often about the Kingdom of God. He shares many parables and stories to explain what the Kingdom of God is, and yet this concept is still difficult to understand. Today’s scripture readings offer more clues about the Kingdom that Jesus brings to this earth. What do these words from Jesus tell us about God’s Kingdom, and how we are called to respond?
In today’s gospel, the Pharisees ask Jesus about the Kingdom of God, and Jesus replies that “the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is, or ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17: 20-21) Jesus has compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, a lost coin, a valuable pearl, and even a wedding feast. And now he explains that you cannot see or observe the Kingdom, but it is “among you.” Many of the people in Jesus’ time believed that the kingdom that was coming would involve a kingdom of power, force and material possessions. Jesus goes on to say that the Son of Man who was bringing this Kingdom of God would in fact suffer greatly and be rejected (Luke 17:25). This was not the king that the people had expected or the Kingdom that they envisioned.
Where exactly is the Kingdom that Jesus describes as being “among you”? The kingdom that the Son of Man (Jesus) brings to this earth is one of love, compassion, closeness to those on the margins, and one that does not overcome with power but with surrender and service. It is not visible in large fortified buildings, stockpiles of armaments, or multitudes of servants. The Kingdom of God is present in the love between people, a generous spirit of service, and a desire for unity and community.
In the first reading, St. Paul illustrates what is means to be in the Kingdom of God, as he returns Onesimus back to Philemon encouraging the reception of this former slave as a “brother” and “as a man and in the Lord.” (Phil 7:20) St. Paul does not force this issue, but invites Philemon to do what is right out of love. In this Kingdom, there is a new way of living where “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28)
We are called to live in the Kingdom of God as well, and how this kingdom looks in our current day and age is not that different. We are called to see other people as our brothers and sisters. To treat one another not based on race, religion, ethnicity, or gender, but recognizing that we are connected as children of a loving God. Because we are disciples of Jesus, the Son of Man who has established this kingdom here on earth, we are called to live as He lived through our loving service and generous compassion. Just like Jesus, we too will likely suffer and at times be rejected (Luke 17:25), but the “joy and encouragement” (Phil 7:20) that St. Paul experienced can be ours as well. Our community of believers can support us, and the grace we receive through prayer, sacrament and scripture can also remind us that we are not alone, since Christ accompanies us on our way.
We live in the Kingdom of God here and now. Although people may not see the physical details of what they might expect to see in a kingdom on earth, hopefully they will witness God’s Kingdom through the way we live our lives following Jesus by the way we speak, think and act.
Marylynn Herchline