REVELATION ON THE KINGDOM
Jesus Christ’s teachings on the Kingdom of God form a central theme in the New Testament, particularly in the synoptic Gospels. His revelations were often more profound to His disciples than to the general public. As He explained, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted” (Mt 13:11). Jesus frequently used parables to convey these mysteries, quoting Isaiah: “This is why I speak to them in parables, because ‘they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand’” (Mt 13:13; Isa 6:9-10).
Old and New Testament Revelations
God’s revelations about the Kingdom of God span both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the Kingdom is often depicted as an everlasting dominion. For instance, Daniel 7:27 states, “Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”
In the New Testament, the identity of Jesus as the Son of God is revealed at significant moments. At Jesus’ baptism, a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17; Mk 1:11; Lk 3:22). Similarly, during the Transfiguration, God again affirmed Jesus’ divine sonship, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Mt 17:5).
The Apostolic Witness
The Apostle Paul emphasized the paradoxical nature of God’s Kingdom in his letters. To the Corinthians, he wrote, “Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God” (1 Cor 1:26-29).
Dimensions of the Kingdom of God
Catholic teaching offers a multifaceted understanding of the Kingdom of God:
1. Christological Dimension: The Kingdom of God is not a geographical dominion but a person – Jesus Christ. As Pope Benedict XVI explained, “The Kingdom is not a thing, it is not a geographical dominion like worldly kingdoms. It is a person; it is he” (Jesus of Nazareth, Part 1).
2. Idealistic/Mystical Dimension: The Kingdom of God resides in the hearts of believers. Origen, an early Church Father, wrote, “Those who pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God pray without any doubt for the Kingdom of God that they contain in themselves, and they pray that this kingdom might bear fruit and attain its fullness.”
3. Ecclesiastical Dimension: The Kingdom of God is present in and through the Church. It is a mixed reality that will only be perfectly realized at the end of history. This is reflected in the Church’s mission to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments, which are signs of the Kingdom’s presence among us.
The Kingdom in Daily Life
The Kingdom of God manifests in various aspects of daily life. It exists wherever love, justice, and peace prevail. As Gerald Darring noted, “The Kingdom of God is a space. It exists in every home where parents and children love each other. It exists in every region and country that cares for its weak and vulnerable. It exists in every parish that reaches out to the needy”.
REFLECTION
As Christians, we are called to actively participate in the realization of God’s Kingdom. This involves living out the values of love, justice, and peace in our daily lives. We must remember that the Kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. It is present wherever Christ reigns in the hearts of believers and in the Church’s sacramental life. However, the fullness of the Kingdom will only be realized at the end of time when Christ returns in glory.
In our journey towards this ultimate fulfillment, we are reminded of Jesus’ words: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt 6:33). Let us strive to embody the principles of God’s Kingdom in our lives, knowing that our efforts contribute to the greater realization of His divine plan.
By embracing this mission, we not only prepare ourselves for the coming of God’s Kingdom but also become instruments of His grace in the world. Let us, therefore, live with the hope and conviction that the Kingdom of God is at hand, and let our lives reflect the love and justice that characterize this divine reality.