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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider The kingdom of heaven

The kingdom of heaven

Published Jul 11, 2023 04:03 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY


In my younger days, when I read the Bible and would come across the expression “the Kingdom of heaven,” what came to my mind was a city within fortified walls, with grand buildings made of stones, along with a royal palace. A better understanding came with maturity: the “Kingdom” is less a place than a condition of the heart. To belong to the Kingdom of heaven means being subject to its king: who else but God. That is why it is at hand. No matter which earthly power or political party rules over the country we belong to, we can still be part of the Kingdom if we allow God to rule over our hearts. St. Paul writes that our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 3:20). We live on earth transitorily because our destiny is being with God. Gospel • Matthew 10:1-7 Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).

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