Close to the Kingdom

Isaiah continues to console and encourage the exiles about the gracious assistance which is available to them from God in the Scriptures from today’s Roman Catholic Lectionary. The sense of being lost is addressed today. The Divine Presence within provides ‘a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’’ (Isaiah 30:19). The psalmist proclaims ‘The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds.’ (Psalm 147). Guidance and healing are experienced by those in touch with the indwelling Spirit. Matthew relates Jesus response to finding so many like sheep without shepherds. He missions the Twelve to “As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”* 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers,* cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.” (Matthew 9: 6-8). The Kingdom is near. It is dwelling within the earthen vessels of our humanity. The mission of those who have encountered the Life within is, like the Twelve, to go out and proclaim this Good News.