Kingship Of Jesus

Today’s Gospel Text: Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." 33 He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." 34 All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet. Matt 13:31-35

Reflection: "Who has seen heaven that you talk of eternal life?" Is the oft heard question, when you tell some one of the kingdom of heaven.

Yet to those who have seen,experienced even a glimpse of it and live in it, for them, it is a reality to worth live for and to be looked forward to.

Is it the same as earthly kingdoms and does it operate in the same way as any earthly kingdoms?

Jesus in explaining the kingdom of heaven by means of the many parables brings out the many facets of such an existence. The many parables bring out the richness of this kingdom.

One great reality that Jesus brings out, through the parables, is that the Kingdom of God is not just a distant reality, which can be attained after death but a reality that can be lived and experienced in this world too. It can be experienced by all of us through him who brings it to us primarily by his very presence, through our invitation of him.

Jesus is the reality of God’s kingdom present in our midst. Just as you cannot talk about a kingdom without a king in place, so also Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of God.

The fact of the Kingdom he came to establish; though having all the rights, yet with no kingship in the many hearts created by him.

In order to win this earthly kingdom, the hearts of the many on earth, he chose to conquer it, not with men and women employed to fight through blood shed and war, but by humbling himself, taking on the form of a slave, dying the most ignoble and miserable death of the cross. Thus he proved his love for us.

To those who surrender their hearts in order that he may reign, they also lift their hearts to the heavenly place, the heavenly values, which he has revealed though these various parables.

Prayer: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt 6:10

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Reveal thy Kingdom

Scripture:  And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Luke 21:29-33

Reflection:  Wow, it is as simple as that! Like common sense which is not so common! Yet when someone asks you a question and you could be struggling for an answer. In such a situation even a simple hint could be of great help. 

In the example of the fig tree we are told that to predict the end is as simple as watching the fig tree and all the tress and predicting summer.  So, are you equipped and ready to predict the end?

If after reading this and having got a hint we still find it difficult then it is a clear situation of not being attuned to what we are supposed to be attuned to.

How will you be attuned to the coming of the end when you know not the kingdom of God? To seek to know the end apart from the knowledge of the Kingdom of God is like searching for a path without a destination.

Prayer:  Lord, reveal to me thy kingdom.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us 

The Kingdom Reality

Scripture: He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches."  20 And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." Luke 13:18-21

Reflection:  What is the bull’s heart fruit like? And to what shall I compare it?  Now when you compare a product or an idea to something you take the risk of either overvaluing or undervaluing things? But at the same time what is accomplished is an explanation which closely satisfies our minds. Which means the explanations does not fully meet the standard and still has a lacuna in understanding fully the depth of the truth. 

If those who do not understand the limitations of the explanations now begin to think that they have understood the kingdom, then they are a fool of the highest order. The invitation is to understand the Kingdom, even if partially now, but progressively more and more, till we experience a complete measure of leavening or till the birds of the air begins to take shelter under our wings.

But the greatest truth is this: When there is an effort to explain things through comparison then the best way to know the truth is to taste it yourself.  We know that this was Jesus’ ultimate offer too. In order to experience the Kingdom we need to ask him for the gift of the Holy Spirit and not through the practice of Yoga or any of the so called eastern prayer techniques.

Prayer:  Lord I believe, grant me the grace to labour righteously.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us