Can You See the Kingdom of God?
Today's meditation from The Rev. Dr. Michael Battle of CREDO:
But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. --Matthew 12:28
The kingdom of God is a miracle because every sign of God's presence in creation is miracle. In other words, any time we behave like God-casting out demons, loving our neighbor as we love our self or doing less obvious things like a child playing with a puppy-we signify the reign of God breaking into the world. God's kingdom is that different worldview reminding us that our behavior is accompanied by a deeper sign: that God is always with us, even to the end of the world. This deeper sign gives us the witness of healthier people committed not only to our own well being but also to the well being of creation that groans and sighs to be well again.
Wait a minute, you say. Hold on. What is this talk about groans and sighs if God's kingdom is already among us? You know, this is a good question. But here's the thing. God's kingdom requires faith to see. This is no mere tautological argument in which we go around in circles trying to prove an argument; no, this is about how God's kingdom can only be observed through the lens of faith. And like Aristotle teaches us, we know what faith is not by knowing this simple truth: The opposite of faith is certainty. Maybe, this is why Jesus started the season of Lent for us by going into the wilderness to do battle with Satan. God's kingdom, shown to us through Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, requires our authenticity . . something also born out of our going into the desert. In other words, we'll never see God's kingdom until we can be truly who we are. St. Paul says this in another way,
. . . on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, . . . Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. (2 Corinthians 12: 5-7)
We see God's kingdom only when we are free enough to stop pretending to be somebody other than who God has created us to be.
Let us pray,
Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. --Matthew 12:28
The kingdom of God is a miracle because every sign of God's presence in creation is miracle. In other words, any time we behave like God-casting out demons, loving our neighbor as we love our self or doing less obvious things like a child playing with a puppy-we signify the reign of God breaking into the world. God's kingdom is that different worldview reminding us that our behavior is accompanied by a deeper sign: that God is always with us, even to the end of the world. This deeper sign gives us the witness of healthier people committed not only to our own well being but also to the well being of creation that groans and sighs to be well again.
Wait a minute, you say. Hold on. What is this talk about groans and sighs if God's kingdom is already among us? You know, this is a good question. But here's the thing. God's kingdom requires faith to see. This is no mere tautological argument in which we go around in circles trying to prove an argument; no, this is about how God's kingdom can only be observed through the lens of faith. And like Aristotle teaches us, we know what faith is not by knowing this simple truth: The opposite of faith is certainty. Maybe, this is why Jesus started the season of Lent for us by going into the wilderness to do battle with Satan. God's kingdom, shown to us through Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, requires our authenticity . . something also born out of our going into the desert. In other words, we'll never see God's kingdom until we can be truly who we are. St. Paul says this in another way,
. . . on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, . . . Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. (2 Corinthians 12: 5-7)
We see God's kingdom only when we are free enough to stop pretending to be somebody other than who God has created us to be.
Let us pray,
Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
posted by Don+ @ 9:42 AM
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