“God’s Kingdom is Among Us” by Beth DeCristofaro
Thus, says the LORD: This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper. But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. (Jerimiah 7:23-24)
Oh, that today you would hear his voice: "Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, Where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works." (Psalm 95:8-9)
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. (Luke 11:20)
Piety
Cleanse your people, Lord, we pray from every taint of wickedness, that (our) gifts may be pleasing to you; and do not let (us) cling to false joys, for you promise (us) the rewards of your truth. Through Christ our Lord. (Prayer over the Offerings from Mass of the Day)
Study
Jerimiah had a rough go prophesying to the Israelites who again had turned their back on their covenant with God. Sound familiar? Not much has changed in the last 2,000 years when it comes to God’ people living out the commandments and the Beatitudes.
Or has it?
In an article in Crux (leaving aside for a moment the main subject which is itself an interesting read) Pope Francis speaks of the majesty, the renewing covenant with God we relive at each liturgy in the Eucharist.
Pope Francis said “The Eucharistic Prayer also asks God to gather all of his children together in ‘the perfection of love,’ and in union with the pope and the local bishop, who is mentioned by name as a sign that “we celebrate in communion with the universal Church and with the particular church.”
“While this ‘codified formula’ can seem a bit ‘distant,’ if the meaning is well understood then ‘surely we will participate better,’ he said, adding that the Eucharistic Prayer not only expresses everything that is done during Mass, but it also cultivates the ‘three attitudes that should never be lacking in the disciples of Jesus.’ These attitudes, he said, are to give thanks ‘always and everywhere, not just on certain occasions when everything is going well’; to make our lives a ‘gift of love’; and to build a concrete communion ‘in the Church and with everyone.’”[i]
It is with the finger of God that Jesus drove out demons and with the finger of God he instituted the Church. God’s Kingdom has come upon us and is at hand most particularly in the holy celebration of Mass and Eucharist. Again and again, each solar day, the Lord invites us again to listen, to walk with him, to join him in the mystical meal instituted of his own body. He invites us into the Kingdom and be of his Body.
Action
Pope Francis’ words were addressed primarily to parishes admonishing that Mass should not be “bought”. On a personal level, our love should never be for sale but freely, generously bestowed upon those who merit it and those who don’t. In what ways do I waste my love by judging others, presuming to know what is in their hearts? A house divided cannot stand. Stand within the love of Jesus today, within his loving Kingdom.
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