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‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.’ (Mark 1:15)
The Kingdom stands at the centre of the preaching of Jesus. He announces its coming, describes it in parables, reveals it in his works, and teaches his disciples to seek it before all else. Yet the Kingdom is not confined to his teaching. It provides a context in which his life, death and resurrection may themselves be understood.
Kingdom of Heaven, City of God is a series of reflections on the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus, centred upon his proclamation of the Kingdom of God. From the first preaching of the Kingdom in the Gospels to Christ’s Passion and Resurrection, the reflections consider the Kingdom as the context of his teaching and the purpose towards which his mission leads.
The book draws closely upon Scripture: upon the parables, miracles and acts of mercy of Jesus; upon his call to repentance and faith; and upon his teaching concerning the life of those who enter the Kingdom. The Kingdom is not simply something promised for the future. It is made present in Christ and begins to take form in the lives of those who follow him.
The reflections lead finally to the book of Revelation and the consummation of the Kingdom. The City of God, the New Jerusalem, brings into a single vision themes already present throughout the Gospels: the presence of God with his people, the defeat of sin and death, and the restoration of creation.
These reflections are intended as readings alongside the Gospels and as material for prayer: an attempt to consider what Jesus means by the Kingdom of God, how that Kingdom is revealed in his life and teaching, and what it means to seek it.
Psalm 58 explores themes of justice, righteousness, and the repercussions of wickedness. This psalm is an impassioned plea for divine intervention or retribution, which may be perceived as a call for vengeance.
Jesus himself experienced deep sorrow during his time on earth. Jesus wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus and in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion. Jesus understands the pain we feel, and invites us to bring our sorrows to him. In our mourning, we can find solace and comfort in knowing that Jesus is with us, empathizing with our pain, and offering his peace [ … ]
The reading for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent, attributed to Saint Gregory Nazianzus (c. 329–390), is a meditation on mercy as an essential Christian duty. Gregory, one of the Cappadocian Fathers, was a theologian and preacher whose writings shaped Christian thought on the Trinity, Christ, and the moral life. In this reflection, Saint Gregory Nazianzus argues that true worship is not found in sacrifice alone but in acts of love toward the poor [ … ]
