Overview
Jesus announced his mission;
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”… (Luke 4:18-19)
Jesus brought healing, graciousness, compassion and love, to the world in ways previously unknown. God’s Spirit filled him. He spoke truth to the hearts of all who listened. He was moved to tears by suffering and sorrow, and to anger by exploitation. He challenged those who put heavy burdens on others or discarded the little ones. He welcomed and spoke for children. He fed the hungry. He said we who have plenty must share with those who have little or nothing. He entrusted disciples with finishing what he began. We are among these disciples.
As co-builders of God’s Reign (or Kingdom), we can say ‘It is here’ and ‘it is not yet’. It is among us, but incomplete in this world. Whenever we do what is good, just and loving we help transform the world. Jesus used images of yeast, light and salt to teach his followers of the effect they could have, when they follow Jesus in their actions (Matthew 5:13-16, 33).
God’s Reign has no boundaries of race, gender, social status or wealth. It is about God’s love, peace, joy, justice, goodness and limitless blessing available for every person and every community. It is about fear being dissolved by love and compassion, and everyone sharing the gifts of this world.
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Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven……(Matthew 6:9-10)
"How happy are the poor in spirit..
the gentle…those who mourn…
those who hunger and thirst for what is right;
the merciful…the pure in heart…the peacemakers…
those who are persecuted in the cause of right;
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3-10)
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.” (Rom 8:28)
"So if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother or sister first, and then come back and present your offering." (Matthew 5:23)
"Do not worry about your life and what you are to eat,
nor about your body and how you are to clothe it.
...Your Father knows you need these things.........
Do not worry about tomorrow" (Matthew 6:25-34)
'It is not those who say to me, "Lord, Lord", who enter the kingdom of heaven,
but the person who does the will of my Father..." (Matthew 7:21)
"He told them another parable,
'The Kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through." (Matthew 13:33)
"The Kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone found;
he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls;
when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds."
(Matthew 13:44-47)
Jesus said, 'Then the King will say to those on his right hand,
"Come, you whom my Father has blessed...for when I was hungry you gave me food.
I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome;
naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me." (from Matthew 25:31-46)
"He put another parable to them, 'The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest shrub of all and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and shelter in its branches." (Matthew 13:31-32)
"I have come that you may have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10)
"You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you...
I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another” (John 15:12-17)
“The Lord desires that his kingdom be spread by the lay faithful …. the kingdom of truth and life, the kingdom of holiness and grace, the kingdom of justice, love and peace. In this kingdom, creation itself will be set free …”
(Par 36. Vatican II Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, 1964, par 36).