Reflecting on the Word

By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.

Billy Collins’ poem “The Afterlife” proposes that when we die, we will all go to  the place where we always expected to go. And so, some will end up in the light,  others before a judge; some will be singing in the choir, others seated around a food-filled table. He concludes somewhat wistfully, saying that the rest will just  end up in their coffins, wishing they could return to do things they never did. 

Matthew’s Gospel has a lot to say about the kingdom of heaven, beginning  with the Beatitudes, which can be thought of as “Be-Attitudes,” ways of being in  the world now that will get you into the world yet to come. They are not the usual  rungs on the ladder to success that call for calculation, competition, and caring  little for anyone other than oneself. 

Being poor in spirit, mourning, being meek, hungering and thirsting for justice  (God’s, not the usual brand meted out in our world), showing mercy, being clean  of heart, making peace, and putting up with persecution—this can sound like an  eight-step program for being losers in the world. 

But to those who chose to walk these ways, Jesus declares, “Blessed are they,”  and promises that “theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). Or, as Paul  puts it, God chooses the nobodies to work on, with, and through. It’s enough to  make you search out another kingdom. Only there you might not end up being  blessed, just wishing you could return to do things you never did—but should  have. 

Consider/Discuss

  • What is your notion of the kingdom of heaven? 
  • To which of the groups Jesus names do you feel most akin? Which are  least related to your life? 
  • Which quality do you hear Jesus inviting you to take up? 

Responding to the Word

We pray that we may become seekers of the kingdom of heaven now and learn  the wisdom of God that was embodied in Jesus, a wisdom that will bring us to  share in the “righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” that are to be found  by living in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30).

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