The Kingdom of God is Near!

 

23rd week Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Year One

Col 3:1-11

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your[a] life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.  These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life.  But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive[d] language from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices  and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.  In that renewal  there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!(Col 3:1-11).

Meditation

For every Christian, the mind has to be set on heaven and not things of the earth. We live in the world but we live for the world to come. We know we are passing from this world to the everlasting world. A Christian gaze is fixed on heaven. Everything is secondary compared to the glory to come. Humans are aware that they make idols of impurity and greed in this world; instead, we should take care to practice the virtues of purity and generosity in life. The only way to face evil is not letting it overtake but practicing the opposite values of the Kingdom.  In a relationship, one easily becomes angry and uses abusive language. We have no right to be angry and lead someone to sadness. Let us overcome anger with the conscious practice of gentleness and meekness. It is not with anger and wrath that we win over the hearts of people, but with kindness and humbleness.

Are we aware that the way to win hearts is through kindness and humility?

Year Two

1 Cor 7:25-35

Meditation

The Kingdom of God is Near!

St Paul speaks of indifference to family life, due to the imminence of the Kingdom of God. Marriage is good, and family life is God's blessing. It is God’s will that one should have a family, bring up the children in faith, and realize God’s will in the family. Today, family life is a great responsibility, and many are afraid of the commitment to a life partner and the duties of the family. As the Kingdom of God is near, one may have to give up family life, which is good and necessary, for the sake of the Kingdom of God. There is a need to work for the Kingdom of God with an undivided heart.

“I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how to please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord” (1 Cor 7: 32-35).

What do you do to work for the Kingdom of God?

Lk 6:20-26

 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.  “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh (Lk 6:20-26).

The Lord is blessing the poor and sorrowful. Yes, indeed, they are blessed for they are poor and in sorrow. Poverty reveals the standard of their life, the lack of things in their life, and the basic needs, such as shelter, clothing, and food, for which they are in need.  The sorrow, pain, suffering and sickness. Their hunger will be removed with good food, and their sorrow will be removed with joy and happiness. Are these only the empty words of Jesus? No, they are not empty words of Jesus; they are being fulfilled in our lives.

Do I believe that those who are hungry and in sorrow will have plenty to eat and a lasting Joy in their lives?

Fr Putti Anthaiah, sdb

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

God Reveals Himself to those Whom He Loves~

  30 December 2024 1Jn2:12-17 Meditation St John is writing to fathers, children, and young people to free them from the evils of life because of Jesus. He tells them not to love the world and those who are passing. Humans are more passionate about the temporary things of life. They are not attracted to lasting ones that give peace and Joy. The desires of the flesh, the attraction of the eyes, and the pride that comes from the world's riches do not belong to the Father in heaven. Those things that belong to God, heaven, and eternity give us lasting joy, peace, and happiness. They call for commitment and sacrifice on the part of individuals. The world and its attractions are always easy but lead to darkness and sadness. The way to happiness and light is challenging and less attractive. Do we choose life in God or death in the world? 30 December Gospel: Lk 2:36-40 Meditation God Reveals Himself to Those Whom He Loves The Prophetess, Anna, was at the servers of the...
Read more

Follow Jesus!

  First Week Saturday Ordinary Time Saturday Year One Heb 4:12-16 The Word of God is powerful. It can do the impossible and transform people. Let us read the Word of God. As we know, it is inspired and does immense good. Those who read the Word of God will not go astray. It sustains in times of fragility and temptation. Jesus is the supreme high priest. He was born among humans and lived among them, knowing their frailties. Jesus knew what it meant to be human. He will very well sympathize with us and lead us to believe that we can overcome our sin and guilt and live as sons and daughters of God set free forever. Jesus knew what it meant to be human. Year Two 1 Sam 9:1-4, 17-10; 10:1 Samuel Anoints Saul Meditation Saul, the son of Kish, had gone to look for lost donkeys. Samuel was on search to anoint someone for the Lord. On the first sight of Saul, the Lord speaks to Samuel to anoint Saul. He anoints Saul with a flask of olive oil he carried, pours on Saul’s...
Read more

Let us Go on God's Way!

  3 rd February 2024 4th Week: Ordinary Time Monday Heb 11:32-40 Mediations Let us Go on God's Way! Great men and women in the history of God’s plan suffered. Suffering for the cause of God and doing great things for the Lord is no avail. It may not make one perfect in life. Doing great things for God without God’s hand and his way is useless. One has to suffer rightly for the cause of God, and it is God who gives us perfection through his grace. It is not that we have gained perfection through our efforts. Do we go on God’s way or our own way? 2 Sam 15:13-14, 3;16:5-13a David Flees Meditation David’s son Absolom turns against him. Absalom wants to kill David. David is cursed for his evil ways. He has to flee from people. As he passes by, he experiences rejection from the people. It happens that one has to go through the face of rejection from people in life for the evil one has done. It is part of life. At one time or another, humans become contemptuous of peo...
Read more