Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Advent Thursday 2 - the Kingdon is taken by force

Readings: Isaiah 41:13-20, Psalm 145, Matthew 11:11-15.

From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.

How is it possible for anybody to gain the kingdom of heaven by force? Who are these violent people and what is this force?

This force is not something we make ourselves do. This force is not something we make others do. This violent force is not something that does any harm to anybody.

The violence of this force is the violence with which we turn the order of the universe upside-down when we dare to call God our Father. This force is the courage with which the blind followed Jesus and cried aloud: "Have mercy on us, Son of David." This force is the persistent request of the Canaanite woman that her daughter be healed: “Lord, even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." This force is the meekenss with which the good thief addressed his prayer: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." This force is the prayer of the Holy Spirit who cries in us when we pray.

I guess you have realized by now that these violent people are you and I, for whose sake the Word became flesh.

2 comments:

  1. I am from India. we would like to share your reflections with those who come to pray with us in the morning.But due to the difference of time we get the reflections only after the meditation and the Eucharist of the day. If it is possible post the reflections 10 hours earlier so that it could be useful to those who come for our morning prayer.

    Thank you
    Mathew sdb

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  2. I completely agree with today's comment. I want to be among those violent people whose inner energy can shake up things around them; I want to the Holy spirit to cry in me when I pray.
    Thanks for those daily meditations.

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