Tuesday 29 September 2020

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus says: "Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom." (Mtt 21: 43) I think it is necessary, at this point, to remember what the kingdom entails. St Paul tells us: "For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Rm 14: 17) We should not, therefore, think that our attendance at Mass is oriented towards our own fulfillment. It is informed by the need for us to "become what we receive." We are to become Eucharist in that we live our lives conformed to the sacrificial love enacted in the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we become entitled, narcissistic and self regarding righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit will be taken from us. Our church will dissolve in factions, disputes and jealousies while others who live towards Christ will know the Kingdom and live it here and now. We need to awake from the sleep of denial and be alert to God at work in our midst: "Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to you that when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light." (Rm 13: 11-12)



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