Tag: kingdom of God

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them.” | Thursday of the First Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 7:21, 24-27)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

Jesus compares the lives of those who are obedient to the Father with those who are not. Obedience to the Father’s will is made up of listening and doing. When storms come in full force—winds, rain, floods—the house built on rock will not collapse. When the same happens to a house built on sand, Jesus says, “it collapsed and was completely ruined.” Hearing and responding to God’s will is the foundation for the house built on rock. Isaiah tells us more about keeping faith and remaining in the Lord: “Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock.”

God, help me trust now and forever in you, the eternal rock. When storms come, help me listen to the words of your Son and act on them as I do your will. In doing your will, I work toward entering the eternal kingdom of heaven even as I enter it in the present moment. Keep me attentive to your will and not self-absorbed even as I call out, “Lord, Lord.” Your will, not mine. To listen for your voice in silence is worth more than many anguished petitions although I know you hear every one of my prayers. Help me today, Lord, have childlike trust in discerning and acting on your will.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“They all ate and were satisfied.” | Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 15:29-37)

Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

The great crowds come to listen listen to Jesus. With them come people who have all sorts of debilitations and illnesses, and Jesus cures them. The deformed are made whole, the lame walk, and the blind see. Because of this, Matthew tells us, “they glorified the God of Israel.” As he looks at the crowd, he is moved with pity for them because they have had nothing to eat for three days. The disciples question where they will get enough bread to satisfy the crowd. The ending to this familiar Gospel account is well known. Yet, the story goes on as the same Lord who destroyed death forever spreads a table for us in the sight of our foes. In the Eucharist, Christ prepares a feast of “rich food and pure, choice wines.” What is a fitting response to this invitation? “Behold, the Lord comes to save his people,” the responsorial psalm says, “blessed are those prepared to meet him.”

God, how little separates the people then with people today? Considering my own brokenness and sin, what will be my response to the invitation to receive healing from Jesus, to share in the superabundance of blessings in this day alone? Jesus also speaks to me as he speaks to the disciples: “How many loaves do you have?” It’s as if he is saying, “What little you have, give me. I will bless it and break it; in breaking it, I will not divide it but multiply it a hundredfold.” From on high, he asks the same of me, that I come to him in brokenness to be made whole and be made ready for the banquet of eternal life. Help me, God, remember to come to the feet of Jesus to bring him what I have to give.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“You have revealed them to the childlike.” | Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest

From the responsorial psalm: “O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 10:21-24)

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Jesus rejoices not in knowledge gained through human learning and experience but to what the Father reveals. To be wise and learned is to observe the ways of the world and predict outcomes but to be childlike in faith is to share in the relationship between the Father and the Son. The knowledge gained through learning and worldly wisdom is good in itself but is worth nothing compared to the knowledge Jesus is able to reveal to us because the Father has handed all things over to him. This is why Jesus rejoices and expresses gratitude in revealing this truth as he does his Father’s will. With childlike faith, God can accomplish what the wise and the learned can only hope to glimpse.

God, help me understand with humility the role of every good gift of experience and learning you give me. Certain dimensions of wisdom and knowledge simply do not come through being learned and knowledgeable. Give me the grace to be open to what Jesus offers, to what Isaiah calls “a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD.” The Gospel acclamation says, “Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.” Enlighten my eyes, Lord, as I strain to see what human comprehension fails to reveal. Saint Francis Xavier, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Only say the word.” | Monday of the First Week of Advent

From the Gospel acclamation: “Come and save us, LORD our God; Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 8:5-11)

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

Although Jesus is willing to go to the servant’s house, the centurion feels unworthy to have him under his roof. He asks Jesus to simply speak a word of healing, drawing on his experience as a leader and as one who leads others. He trusts the authority of Jesus and has faith in him. Jesus is amazed by this and turns to those following him, witnesses to the centurion’s faith, and says, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.” We hear also in the first reading the hope of having the Lord enter under our roof, as Isaiah prays, “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!”

God, let me follow the centurion’s example of faith and trust in the word of Jesus to heal me. In the Gospel, the servant is “lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” I am sure there will be moments throughout the day when I am completely stuck, stifled by uncertainty and wondering where you are and how to move toward you. I may be paralyzed in that moment, but you are not. Give me the grace to remember this prayer and bear witness to your mercy: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Be vigilant at all times and pray.” | First Sunday of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:25-28, 34-36)

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

On this first Sunday of Advent, we hear Jesus telling the disciples about the final judgement, the coming in a cloud of the Son of Man with power and great glory. At his coming, signs on earth and in the cosmos will put nations in dismay and frighten people to death. Stand erect and raise your heads, Jesus tells the disciples, because our redemption is at hand. Before that day comes, Jesus says, remain vigilant, keep from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life (another kind of drunkenness that leads to the other). Jesus calls that day an assault and not to be caught by surprise by it like a trap. Just as God was present to the wandering Israelites in a pillar of cloud, Jesus will come again in power and great glory to judge the living and the dead. Jesus asks us to pray that we are prepared for his return.

God, at the beginning of this Advent set me on a path of vigilance and joyful expectation at the coming of Jesus. The Son of Mary is the Son of God, who came into the world as an infant and will come again in a cloud of power and glory. Give me the grace throughout Advent to remain hopeful in the fulfillment of your kingdom—not afraid, not anxious, an not absorbed in distractions. Strengthened by the real presence of Jesus to face the tribulations of daily life, keep me on a path to stand erect and raise my head as I meet my redeemer face to face. Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

From the responsorial psalm: “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 4:18-22)

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

After calling Simon and Andrew, Jesus walks along the shore and calls James and John to follow him. Simon and Andrew are casting a net into the sea, and James and John are mending their nets. From his walk along the shore, Jesus calls four fisherman who would become the first apostles. In the first reading, Saint Paul also describes the consequences of responding to the call of the Lord. If we are called, we are sent so that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” In choosing the apostles, Jesus exercises childlike faith in the Father’s plan, and we glimpse the beauty and simplicity of the mind of Jesus as he carries out his will. Men who cast nets to catch fish would be good at catching souls to be brought into his Father’s kingdom. Men who mend nets would make good stewards of the faith, loyal and persevering in times of adversity. The Gospel acclamation speaks to all of us in the voice of Jesus: “Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Father in heaven, strengthen my faith today; help me hear and respond to your call. To be saved is to be sent out and made fishers of men. As Saint Paul says, it is to confess that Jesus is Lord and to believe in my heart that you raised him from the dead. The risen Christ, alive in the word, in the Eucharist, and in the sacraments of the Church accomplishes your will as he calls me to respond immediately and follow him. As I look to you with childlike faith, make clear to me what skills and talents I have to bring the words of Christ to one person at a time so that everyone who hears would believe in the Gospel and call on your name. Saint Andrew, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Know that the Kingdom of God is near.” | Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. Blessed the men whose strength you are! They go from strength to strength. Here God lives among his people.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:28)

Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Jesus describes what the coming of the kingdom of God looks like in a tender comparison of the fig tree and all other trees. It buds and yet is to bud. Already here and yet to be, its coming looks like all the opening up to warmth and new life that summer brings. The generation in which Jesus spoke these words has passed away, but the kingdom was present then, is here now, and is yet to open wider. “Jesus Christ,” Saint Paul says, “is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

God, just as the buds of the fig tree burst open, let the coming of your kingdom work in me to bud and bring new life. The psalmist prays “Here God lives among his people.” Already here and yet to come, your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Let me remember throughout the day to radiate your love and praise you. Give me the opportunity to show others whose strength it is—from strength to strength—that finds a home in a soul that cries out for the living God. Lord, keep me in your kingdom as I seek to remain in you for eternal life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time—Thanksgiving

From the responsorial psalm: “Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:20-28)

“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

Jesus describes to the disciples the destruction of Jerusalem, which took place in A.D. 70. Luke’s Gospel, written several years later, relates what had already taken place. What Jesus predicts about Jerusalem gives assurance to the disciples that the final judgment will also be fulfilled. In Jesus’ words, “a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon his people. . . . People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world.” As difficult as this time is to imagine—nations in dismay and terrible signs on earth and in the sky—Jesus will come with “power and great glory” as our hope and redeemer comes to call us to the “wedding feast of the Lamb.”

God, in the midst of the greatest distress you are not absent to your people but here among us in the risen Christ, who will come again to judge the living and the dead. Help me trust in you and remain steadfast in the trials of daily life and in preparation for the fulfillment of your kingdom in the Second Coming of Jesus. Keep me in your care, Lord, let me be grateful for the many blessings of each day. On Thanksgiving Day, grant me the grace to be a means of hope and love, especially for those in distress who most need your mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Not a hair on your head will be destroyed.” | Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to rule the earth; He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:12-19)

“Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Jesus speaks to the crowd about the cost of discipleship. In following him and because of his name, Jesus tells the crowd, “It will lead you to your giving testimony.” The wisdom in speaking that Jesus himself gives us does not come in silence and in keeping quiet but in giving testimony to him and in persevering. Because of his name, betrayal and hatred from those closest to us and those with worldly power is a real possibility. In this instance, our defense and freedom as disciples of Christ will not be through intellectual readiness or intensive training but through his supernatural gift of wisdom. “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty!” Lead us to giving testimony to you.

God, help me remain faithful to you today and every day. I survey what lies before me today and hope for greatness in doing your will yet feel small in recognizing the limitations of my own powers. Give me the opportunity today to give testimony to Jesus Christ your Son and the wisdom to act according to your will. The path of discipleship leads toward the grasp of persecutors who silence and kill those who proclaim your great and wonderful works. Yet, your wisdom speaks through those who love you, and not a hair on their head will be destroyed. Keep me in your care, Lord; secure me for eternal life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“See that you not be deceived.” | Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Say among the nations: The LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. The Lord comes to judge the earth.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:5-11)

Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.”

Jesus observes some people who are speaking about the beautifully adorned temple, its votive offerings, and its costly stones. When Jesus tells them that the days will come when nothing of the temple will be left, they question when this will happen. Turning their attention away from the visible world, Jesus begins to speak of a time and place apart from the present. As much as God is outside of time, so is the kingdom of God; it is already hear and yet to be. The deceiving voices who say they know when the time will come don’t know. Jesus describes what could very well be the present with its wars and insurrections, nation fighting against nation, and global catastrophes. Yet, he also speaks specifically of the final judgment, a time of awesome sights and mighty signs, and as John describes, “sitting on the cloud one who looked like a son of man with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.” In turning our attention away from the present and toward the end times, Jesus invites us to behold a new creation and, ultimately, the realization of God’s promises.

God, before the day unfolds at a pace I struggle to derive meaning from, let me remember what Jesus did in turning the gaze of the people away from the realities and things of the present. First, I hear Jesus say, “See that you not be deceived.” Give me the grace, Lord, to hear you and tune out the voices draw attention to themselves and lead me away from you. Your kingdom is here right now, and Jesus is present today in the scriptures and in the sacraments. Give me wisdom to put my trust there and not take the things of this world or its agendas so seriously. The Gospel acclamation reminds in a few words what the gift of time on earth is for: “Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament