Steve Bwalande, sx
The Gospels of these two Sundays, the fifteenth and sixteenth, speak about the Kingdom of God with different parables and in enigmatic ways. In his reflection on the Gospel reading of the last Sunday, Fr Christophe emphasized the ability and the attitude of listening as a sign of obedience and respect. In the Bible perspective, listening is a commandment (Shema Israel Adonai Elohim) Dt 6: 4-6. Listen to the word of God and put it into practice can help us, as Christian, to stay closer to God and bear much fruits, reminded us, Fr Christophe in his Homely last Sunday.
Today, as well, Christ comes to us with the parables about the Kingdom of God. The church gives us, through this Gospel reading, the opportunity of reflecting on our vocation as Christians. Our first mission as Christians is to spread the Good News of the Kingdom of God all over the world, most especially in our Christian and missionary life. We have to go to those who don’t know Christ yet.
Reflecting on this Gospel, let us see how the Lord wants always what is good for us and wants us to become the best version of ourselves, but the plan of God is always in contrast with what the evil wants us to be. Many times we are not so strong and we give place to all those things which are in contradictions with the Kingdom of God. Let us look at all those things which seem to put us in a position where we feel far from the mercy of God, far from the Kingdom. Christ by his mercy today wants us to be fruitful and holy without any darnel from the enemy.
Most of the time, we are not able to forgive to ourselves or to our brothers and sisters who offend us repeatedly. Christ reminds us today that he is the image of merciful God, and we have to act like him in every situation, being patient and merciful with one another.
Another parable used by Jesus to describe the Kingdom of God is the supernatural power of a mustard seed which grows and at the end becomes a huge tree with many branches.
Brothers and sisters, remember that Christ emphasizes always the quality of being the smallest (what means humility). We can never become that large tree which shelters the needy if we are not first the smallest seed. By this, we can understand that God cannot dwell in a pride heart. Neither the Kingdom of God can never be visible from a proud hearted. As we sing with Mary in the Magnificat: “He scatters the proud-hearted, he casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly”. If really we want brothers and sisters to become the sign of the Kingdom in the midst or among our brethren, let us live according to the word of God, which unceasingly calls us to humility as virtue.
May the Virgin Mary, model of humility, inspire us in our Christian and missionary life to cooperate to the need of spreading and becoming the sign of the Kingdom of God.
Steve Bwalande, sx
The Gospels of these two Sundays, the fifteenth and sixteenth, speak about the Kingdom of God with different parables and in enigmatic ways. In his reflection on the Gospel reading of the last Sunday, Fr Christophe emphasized the ability and the attitude of listening as a sign of obedience and respect. In the Bible perspective, listening is a commandment (Shema Israel Adonai Elohim) Dt 6: 4-6. Listen to the word of God and put it into practice can help us, as Christian, to stay closer to God and bear much fruits, reminded us, Fr Christophe in his Homely last Sunday.
Today, as well, Christ comes to us with the parables about the Kingdom of God. The church gives us, through this Gospel reading, the opportunity of reflecting on our vocation as Christians. Our first mission as Christians is to spread the Good News of the Kingdom of God all over the world, most especially in our Christian and missionary life. We have to go to those who don’t know Christ yet.
Reflecting on this Gospel, let us see how the Lord wants always what is good for us and wants us to become the best version of ourselves, but the plan of God is always in contrast with what the evil wants us to be. Many times we are not so strong and we give place to all those things which are in contradictions with the Kingdom of God. Let us look at all those things which seem to put us in a position where we feel far from the mercy of God, far from the Kingdom. Christ by his mercy today wants us to be fruitful and holy without any darnel from the enemy.
Most of the time, we are not able to forgive to ourselves or to our brothers and sisters who offend us repeatedly. Christ reminds us today that he is the image of merciful God, and we have to act like him in every situation, being patient and merciful with one another.
Another parable used by Jesus to describe the Kingdom of God is the supernatural power of a mustard seed which grows and at the end becomes a huge tree with many branches.
Brothers and sisters, remember that Christ emphasizes always the quality of being the smallest (what means humility). We can never become that large tree which shelters the needy if we are not first the smallest seed. By this, we can understand that God cannot dwell in a pride heart. Neither the Kingdom of God can never be visible from a proud hearted. As we sing with Mary in the Magnificat: “He scatters the proud-hearted, he casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly”. If really we want brothers and sisters to become the sign of the Kingdom in the midst or among our brethren, let us live according to the word of God, which unceasingly calls us to humility as virtue.
May the Virgin Mary, model of humility, inspire us in our Christian and missionary life to cooperate to the need of spreading and becoming the sign of the Kingdom of God.
Steve Bwalande, sx