ARE WE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM?

 “SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”

Daily Spiritual Reflections

20th November 2021

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SATURDAY, THIRTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

1 Mac 6: 1-13; Ps 9:2-4,6,16,19; Lk 20: 27-40

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ARE WE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM?

We often like to pride ourselves on being modern, children of the modern era, of the 21st century. But we don’t show the same enthusiasm and pride in expressing ourselves to be children of the kingdom, of the world to come, which Jesus mentions in the gospel passage of the day. What is the kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is the fulfilment of God’s will here on this earth. This was the core of the Lord’s preaching and teaching. 

But how does one know God’s will? 

• First and foremost, by the revealed word, wherein God himself has declared his will. Through the life of the patriarchs, the prophets, the people of Israel, and finally of Jesus himself and the early church, we come to know of the life pleasing to God. 

• Secondly, through the practical implication of God’s word in all areas and circumstances of life. That is how we make God’s word alive, active and tangible. Reading the word of God without practising it is of no avail, for it would be just like reading the daily newspaper. 

• Finally, it is by living a virtuous life. This life is achieved by the practice of self-control and a state of conscious awareness of the acts we do at each moment. For this, we need to have a determined determination for the desires of the flesh are stronger than the desires of the spirit. In the first reading, we see how King Antiochus grew conscious of the mistakes he did in the past and was guilty of the mistakes committed. 

St Augustine says, “Mary is blessed because she heard the Word of God and kept it. Her mind was filled more with truth than her womb by his flesh.” She pondered on the law of God, practiced it in her life, and became the model of virtue for us to follow. She was the perfect child of the age to come. Let us try to imitate our heavenly mother and be like her in virtue and piety. Thus, striving to be like her, we shall gradually become like Jesus. 

Response: I will rejoice in your salvation, O Lord.

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