July 26 and July 27

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Deacon Dick~

Do you ever try to envision what the kingdom of God would look like? The Old Testament contains no references to the "kingdom of God" but does speak of God’s sovereign power over all kings and kingdoms. The New Testament looks to Jesus’ parables where the kingdom is compared to a farmer, a mustard seed, a yeast, a buried treasure, a pearl merchant, a fishnet, an employer, a king inviting people to a marriage feast, and ten young women. Is this what you think of when you envision a kingdom, these situations from everyday life?

The kingdom of God is not a geographical area and not a political entity. Paul clarifies the definition when he says the kingdom of God is "righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit."  This is kingdom as a state of being.

I can picture God’s kingdom as a place where everyone is wholly who they are meant to be, living lives of righteousness, peace and joy, on this earth. This could be pie-in-the-sky thinking, but, I believe, with every act of social justice that we perform collectively or individually, we come one step closer to shalom on earth. Only God can bring the kingdom but we, who are made in God’s image, can seek to emulate our creator to the best of our ability. Like Abraham, in the first reading, God invites us to be a covenant partner to deliberate with God and be part of the plan.

- Barbara Molinari Quinby, Raleigh, NC