Working through reality

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today ground us in reality as we realize our journey involves dealing with cultural conflicts in a Christian way.

Darker days on the journey

The Letter of Paul to Philemon identifies a plea from the Apostle to his friend to allow Onesimus the freedom that is properly Christian as an example to a culture that did not understand such an action.

Paul breathes into this letter the spirit of Christ and of equality within the Christian community. He does not attack slavery directly, for this is something the Christian communities of the first century were in no position to do, and the expectation that Christ would soon come again militated against social reforms. Yet Paul, by presenting Onesimus as “brother, beloved…to me, but even more so to you” (Phlm 16), voiced an idea revolutionary in that day and destined to break down worldly barriers of division “in the Lord.”

The time of the Messianic Kingdom imagined by the Pharisees, is not part of Jesus mission as He explains in the Gospel of Luke.

* [17:20–37] To the question of the Pharisees about the time of the coming of God’s kingdom, Jesus replies that the kingdom is among you (Lk 17:20–21). The emphasis has thus been shifted from an imminent observable coming of the kingdom to something that is already present in Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. Luke has also appended further traditional sayings of Jesus about the unpredictable suddenness of the day of the Son of Man, and assures his readers that in spite of the delay of that day (Lk 12:45), it will bring judgment unexpectedly on those who do not continue to be vigilant.

Tom Quinn declares that the Kingdom of God is, indeed, among us.

God is the vine, and we are the branches. God is with us and in us.  We are his instruments, and the living Kingdom, especially when we carry out his greatest commandment -- love one another.   Provide food for the hungry; set captives free; protect strangers. These acts desperately need to be done. The Kingdom of God is among us. We should make it as evident as a flash of lightning, but possibly, more lasting.

Don Schwager quotes “Don't pursue human glory”, by John Cassian (360-435 AD).

"If the devil has been driven out and sin no longer reigns, then the kingdom of God is established in us. As it is written in the Gospel, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation, nor will they say, 'Lo here,' or 'Lo, there.' Truly I say to you that the kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:20-21). The only thing that can be 'within us' is knowledge or ignorance of the truth and the affection for righteousness or sin by which we prepare our hearts to be a kingdom of Christ or the devil. St. Paul described the nature of this kingdom in this way: 'For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). If the kingdom of God is within us and is righteousness, peace and joy, then someone that remains in these is surely within the kingdom of God. Someone that remains in unrighteousness, conflict and the melancholy that kills the life of the spirit is already a citizen of the devil's kingdom, of hell and of death. These are the signs whether it is God's kingdom or the devil's." (excerpt from  CONFERENCE 1.13.5)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 17:20-25 shares that the kingdom of God is not about a location or even the regime in power; it’s about a new way of relating to one another that brings healing and freedom.

Today, think about how you can bring the kingdom of God into just one relationship. Look for one opportunity to encourage someone, to forgive, or to be an instrument of God’s presence. It doesn’t have to be dramatic and life changing. It just has to be upbuilding and life affirming. You are a citizen of this kingdom, an ambassador for Christ. Because of that, you can bring his presence wherever you go. You can make a difference!

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Paul implies that that Onemisus should be set free. A Christian should not own a Christian. Friar Jude shares that we all desire to go to Heaven… but maybe not today.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the dying process at every stage of life is a natural opportunity to let go of the small, separate self and return to the fullness of True Self. He quotes Kathleen Dowling Singh, who spent hundreds of hours contemplatively ministering to dying people.

As we return and/or are returned to our Original Nature, virtues that we have acquired, usually through deliberate cultivation, flow naturally as water from a spring. The qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, presence, centeredness, spaciousness, mercy, and confidence all radiate naturally forth from our transformed being as we come closer to death. . . . Many a time I have seen the dying comfort those in pain around them. . . .

The real encounters of our daily life are opportunities to engage the Life that is the Kingdom of God now. The reluctance we have to experience dying is in tension with Christian understanding of our ultimate complete union with Christ and the gifts of Love we may create for others as we surrender to the dying process.

References

(n.d.). Philemon, chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/philemon/1
(n.d.). Luke chapter 17 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/17
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). 32nd Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved November 15, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/