Brethren, for the past three weeks the issue of “the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God” has been so central and so emphasized in the gospel readings. Last Sunday, the Lord urged us to be steadfast in faith, faith that is demonstrated in the childlike obedience to the will of God. He warned that “tax collectors and prostitutes” may enter the Kingdom of God before us because they acknowledged their sinfulness, realized how much they need God’s mercy, and repented of their sins, while we, the so called sons and daughters of the kingdom holding unto past glory do not update or renew our faith in Him on a daily basis. Holding unto the past glory- the time we manifested great faith in God, the time we showed great love for him and fellow humans, the time we used our talent, treasure and time in building up his Kingdom, we consciously or unconsciously think we have arrived. We think we are saints already. We no longer watch and pray! We no longer work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2: 12). We forgot the warning of St. Paul “Whoever thinks he is standing, be careful, lest he falls” (1 Corinthians 10: 12).
In today’s Gospel, taken from the Matthew 21: 33-43 the Lord warned “The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” The Kingdom of God is already here with us. The Kingdom of God is “whatever is true”; it is “whatever is lovely”; it is “whatever is gracious”. The kingdom of God is “anything excellent”; it is anything “worthy of praise”. Those who produce what is true, what is lovely, what is gracious, what is excellent, what is worthy of praise produce the fruits of the Kingdom. They produce sufficient wine from the vineyard. They are the Children of the Kingdom.
Today is our parish picnic! Let us go out to socialize with each other; let us go out to familiarize with each other; let us go out to celebrate, relax and enjoy the gift of each other and the friendship we share. May the celebration of this present age, reminds us of that sublime celebration in the Kingdom of God. May the enjoyment of now, reminds us of the full enjoyment of God in the Kingdom to come. May the relaxation of this earthly life, reminds us of the sublime uninterrupted rest and relaxation in God’s Kingdom. As we enjoy the gift of one another, may it remind us of the indescribable fellowship in heaven. As we appreciate the beauty of this present age, may it remind us of the sublime Beauty, the Ancient Beauty, the beauty of uninterrupted peace, joy, satisfaction, fulfillment and realization in God. May this picnic remind us of the ultimate and sublime gathering and celebration that awaits us when we will ultimately be perfectly reunite with the One who “loves us with an everlasting love” in his Kingdom. May the already of God’s kingdom that is with us constantly remind us of the not-yet of God’s kingdom.
Enjoy yourself! May God bless us all!
In today’s Gospel, taken from the Matthew 21: 33-43 the Lord warned “The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” The Kingdom of God is already here with us. The Kingdom of God is “whatever is true”; it is “whatever is lovely”; it is “whatever is gracious”. The kingdom of God is “anything excellent”; it is anything “worthy of praise”. Those who produce what is true, what is lovely, what is gracious, what is excellent, what is worthy of praise produce the fruits of the Kingdom. They produce sufficient wine from the vineyard. They are the Children of the Kingdom.
Today is our parish picnic! Let us go out to socialize with each other; let us go out to familiarize with each other; let us go out to celebrate, relax and enjoy the gift of each other and the friendship we share. May the celebration of this present age, reminds us of that sublime celebration in the Kingdom of God. May the enjoyment of now, reminds us of the full enjoyment of God in the Kingdom to come. May the relaxation of this earthly life, reminds us of the sublime uninterrupted rest and relaxation in God’s Kingdom. As we enjoy the gift of one another, may it remind us of the indescribable fellowship in heaven. As we appreciate the beauty of this present age, may it remind us of the sublime Beauty, the Ancient Beauty, the beauty of uninterrupted peace, joy, satisfaction, fulfillment and realization in God. May this picnic remind us of the ultimate and sublime gathering and celebration that awaits us when we will ultimately be perfectly reunite with the One who “loves us with an everlasting love” in his Kingdom. May the already of God’s kingdom that is with us constantly remind us of the not-yet of God’s kingdom.
Enjoy yourself! May God bless us all!
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