Fourteenth of Year A. 11
July 2011
Jesus of Nazareth went about the villages and towns of Galilee proclaiming/ preaching/ telling everybody he met, that the Kingdom of God or the Reign of God was in the process of being inaugurated among them, was in fact existing and growing among them.
He demonstrated this claim and showed them what it meant by his own lifestyle. A lifestyle of welcome for all, of respect for all, of sharing with all, of forgiveness for all. As I said last week His defining symbol of the presence of the Kingdom of God among us was his willingness to share a meal with all comers, to welcome them and to enjoy their company.
Hence the Mass (the Last Supper) is the symbol of the presence of the Kingdom of God among us today.
Throughout the Old Testament the Jewish people longed and prayed for a Messiah/King who would defeat the armies of the invaders and set up a free Jewish kingdom as in the time of King David.
We see the very same expectation during the time of Jesus of Nazareth.
As the two disciples said on the road to Emmaus: ‘We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.’ Meaning restore the earthly kingdom of Israel.
So the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth could not figure out what he was up to. They found his teaching compelling. They found his lifestyle hugely attractive yet puzzling.
They found it impossible to rise above or see beyond their upbringing and ingrained expectations.
It was the Resurrection which restored their hope. It was the working of the Holy Spirit in and among them that slowly brought a glimmer of enlightenment.
Reading the New Testament we can clearly see their internal struggle to break free from the Old Testament comparison of God to known earthly kings and emperors. For example, He rewarded loyalty and punished disloyalty. He delighted in trampling his enemies underfoot. He demanded total obedience to decrees which he arbitrarily handed down.
To this day the Holy Spirit still struggles to bring us understanding and acceptance of the Kingdom of God. For example, my ingrained response to opposition or threat is aggression. I forgive only if the miscreant deserves it in my eyes and even then I look for recompense. We share our overabundance only when it is in our ‘national interest’ or forwards the spread of our political philosophy or our religious beliefs.
I find it impossible to give with no consideration whatever to the character of the receiver. To forgive with no regard as to the penitence of the forgiven or even their desire to be forgiven. To treat with respect one who has lost all sense of self respect and does not want my respect.
But unfortunately for me this is the Kingdom of God. This is what I am called to be. No wonder we all water it down, we and our churches alike. It is far less demanding to occupy myself with prayer and liturgical functions, with processions and pilgrimages.
And I quote from the prophet Micah; ‘You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.’
And again; ‘For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.’
And Again; ‘Know the meaning of the words ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’
But processions, pilgrimages and grand liturgies are much more fun!!