Tag Archives: God’s kingdom

KINGLY PEOPLE

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Sunday 22nd November – Solemnity of Christ the Universal King

Reflection: Apocalypse 1: 5-8

KINGLY PEOPLE

“Mine is not a kingdom of this world…” John 18:36

Our knowledge of kingship comes from our day to day encounter with royalty. The king is a highly regarded and feared person to whom all his subjects pay obeisance. His power is absolute and unquestionable and he is often “up there” disconnected from his subjects. It was this perception of kingship that Pilate bore in mind as He asked our Lord during his trial, “Are you the king of the Jews?” little did he know that much more than being the king of the Jews, Christ is the king of the whole world. It is this universal sovereignty that the Church calls us to reflect upon and celebrate today as she concludes her liturgical year.

What makes Christ’s kingship different from the worldly kingship? Frist, when James and John as well as the rest of the apostles seemed to be confused about this, Jesus took time to explain to them that unlike the rulers of this world, his kingship is one of servanthood. His is a priestly kingship that involves the sacrifice of his own life for his subjects (Mk 10: 42-45). In addition, while our worldly rulers hold tightly to their power, Jesus shares His with us. Much more than being His subjects, Christ calls us to be his brothers and share in his reign. “He has made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God and Father” (Rev 1:6).

Dear friends, you and I have the highest privilege – that of belong to the King of Kings. How much obeisance do you pay to him? Does your way of life portray allegiance to Jesus the universal king or to the devil, the enemy of your soul? Do you live by His heavenly standards or by the standards of this world? We have been washed with the precious blood of the Lamb and consecrated to be kings and priests. Let us make a commitment today to die to our own selves – to our selfishness and pride for the sake of our salvation and those of others.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we celebrate your universal Kingship today. Please rule in my heart and affairs always. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 520 – What does it mean to say, “Thy kingdom come”?

When we pray, “Thy kingdom come”, we call for Christ to come again, as he promised, and for God’s reign, which has already begun here on earth to prevail definitively”

HIDE A TREASURE: “To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Rev 1:5-6 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Dan 7: 13-14; Ps 93: 1-2, 5; Apoc 1: 5-8; Jn 18: 33-37

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KINGDOM INVESTMENT

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WEDNESDAY 18TH NOVEMBER – WEDNESDAY OF WEEK 33 OF THE YEAR

REFLECTION: LUKE 19:11-28

KINGDOM INVESTMENT

Have you ever done business before? How was it? I’m sure your answer would be positive if you made good profit out of it. There is a special gift or talent that God has given you, it could manifest in various ways. It could be in crafts, science, eloquence, planning, writing, helping people, etc. They are so numerous to mention. God has blessed us with so many abilities so that we may be able to advance His kingdom here on earth.

Many at times, we just sit down idle and doing nothing, whereas deep within us is a reservoir of untapped talents and resources. We may wish that we had some mighty ability to do great things in life but even the little one we have we sometime ignore, simply because we are envying those that have made ‘great impacts’ in the world. Beloved, you don’t need to have it all before you begin doing something with what God has given you. Your talents are your natural endowment and it is more precious than any gold or silver, in fact it is a stepping stone to greatness.

So what do you do now? You can take a day off to have a personal retreat, wherein you examine your life. It is in this self-examination aided by the Holy Spirit that we come to a full realization of all the blessings that God has providentially endowed us with. One you have discovered them, then get to work with it. Use it for the good of men and the advancement of the kingdom of God. This is ‘real investment’ in the kingdom of God.

PRAYER: O Father, you have blessed me numerous riches, help me this day to discover them, and give me the grace to put it to work for the good of men your glory. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 1890: “There is a certain resemblance between the unity of the divine persons and the fraternity that men ought to establish among themselves.”

HIDE A TREASURE: “He fills my life with good things, so that I stay young and strong like an eagle.” Psalm 103:5 (GNB)

READINGS FOR TODAY: 2Macc.7:1,20-31; Ps.17:5-6,8,15; Lk.19:11-28

A FISHING NET

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Thursday 30th July- St. Peter Chrysologus, B.D. (opt. mem)

A FISHING NET

Matthew 13:47-53

What can a story about a fishing net and a big catch tell us about God’s kingdom? The two most common ways of fishing in Jesus’ time was with a cast net (or hand-net) which is thrown from the shore and the drag-net or trawl which is let down or cast into the waters from a boat. As the boat moves through the waters the drag-net is drawn into the shape of a great cone which indiscriminately takes in all kinds of fish, flotsam and jetsam swept in its path. It usually takes several men to haul such a net ashore. What is Jesus’ point here? Just as a drag-net catches every kind of fish in the sea, so does the Church act as God’s instrument for gathering in all who will come.

Dear friends in Christ, just as the drag-net does not or cannot discriminate, so also the Church does not discriminate between the good and the bad, the useless and the useful. God’s kingdom is open to all who will accept and believe. No matter what we have done, how ugly our past has been ,the Church is ever open to us through the sacrament of reconciliation and of the Eucharist. But there will come a time of separation, at the close of the age, when the angels will send the good and the bad to their respective destinations.

Our duty is to gather in all who will come. God, in the end, will dole out the reward or punishment. God offers the treasure of his kingdom to all who believe. Let us seek the Lord now before its late. Let us hunger for God and his kingdom.

PRAYER: Lord, increase my hunger for your kingdom and fill my heart with eager longing for you that I may one day gaze upon your face in everlasting bliss.

KNOW YOUR FAITH CCC 2465: What is truth?
God is the source of all truth… Since God is truth, the members of his people are called to live in truth

HIDE A TREASURE: “ By the free gift of God’s grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free.” Rom 3:24 GNB

Today’s Readings: Ex 40: 16-21.34-38; Ps 84: 2-5.7.10; Mt 13: 47-53

TREASURE WHAT YOU HAVE

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Friday 21st March – Friday of the 2nd week of Lent

Reflection: Matthew 21: 33-46

TREASURE WHAT YOU HAVE

In this parable, the vineyard is the kingdom of God; the Jews, God’s chosen people are the tenants. God entrusted His kingdom to them. He guided them throughout the long span of history that they would be an example to others. They were to communicate their experience to others so that all would develop justice, and a spirit of responsibility. These were the fruits God wanted to harvest. God sent his prophets to remind them of their debts; but they ignored them. Finally, the only Son of God appeared as man but they cast Him out and killed Him. Consequently, the Kingdom was taken from them and given to others, those believers converted from other nations. Thus, through their disobedience the mercy of God came to the pagan nations (Romans11:11-33).

We too as Christians have been entrusted with time, talents and treasures by God; He has given us the grace to dress the vineyard of our life with all He has blessed us with. He has given us all these to use for the betterment of our own lives and to help others. God has given us strength, vitality and ideas as youths to better our life, our environment and the world at large. Dear Friends, today God is reminding us of this duty, He is calling us bear fruits. He is calling us to recognize the resources He has entrusted to us and to value them. Can you recognize the talents God has given you? Can you recognize the grace God has given you to serve him in various capacities? How faithful are you with those God has placed under your care?

Remember, what we have is a gift from God, what we do with them is our own gift to God. What kind of gift are you offering back to God?

PRAYER: Lord, help me to recognize my treasures and to use them for your glory. Amen

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 203 – What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is the Sacrament that completes Baptism; in it the gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us. Anyone who freely decides to live a life as God’s child and asks for God’s Spirit under the signs of the imposition of hands and anointing with chrism receives the strength to witness to God’s love and might in word and deed. He is now a full-fledged, responsible member of the Catholic Church.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire” Matthew 7:19 CCB

Readings for today: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-28, Psalm 105:16-21; Matthew 21: 33- 46