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“His Kingdom” Read: Luke 12: 35 - 38

In 1642 the Huron country was in great distress. Harvests were poor, sickness abounded, and clothing was scarce. Quebec was the only source of supplies, and Isaac Jogues was chosen to lead an expedition. It reached its objective safely and started back well supplied with goods for the mission, but the Iroquois, the bitter enemies of the Hurons, and fiercest of all Indian tribes, were on the war-path and ambushed the returning expedition. The story of the ill-treatment and torture of the captives cannot be told here. Suffice it to say that Jogues and his assistant, Rene Goupil, besides being beaten to the ground and assailed several times with knotted sticks and fists, had their hair, beards and nails torn off and their forefingers bitten through. What grieved them far more, was the cruelty practiced on their Christian converts. The first of all the martyrs to suffer death was Rene Goupil, who was tomahawked on September 29, 1642, for having made the Sign of the Cross on the brow of some children. This Rene Goupil was a remarkable man. He had tried hard to be a Jesuit and had even entered the Novitiate, but his health forced him to give up the attempt. He then studied surgery and found his way to Canada, where he offered his services to the missionaries, whose fortitude he emulated. Rene Goupil is one of the North American martyrs who died at the hands of the Indians between the years 1642-1649. Their feast day is October 19.

“…for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

To capture the good news of today’s readings, we must look at Luke’s gospel verses preceding and following today’s reading. In the opening verses of chapter 12, we hear loud and clear the voice of caution in an almost threatening tone:

            “…whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.”
            “I will warn you who to fear…”
                        “…whoever denies me …will be denied…”
                                                “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed…”
            “…you fool.” “…you of little faith!”

Yet, in the midst of apparent harshness, we also hear words of encouragement and of endearment:

            “Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
                        “…do not worry…the Holy Spirit will teach you…”
            “Friend,…”
                        “ For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.”
            “Consider the lilies…do not keep worrying.”
“…strive for his kingdom…”

In the today’s readings from Ephesians and psalm 85 we are given a vivid and real description of “his kingdom”. It is a time, a space, of be-ing. And, an existence of not be-ing “alienated from the community…”, of not be-ing “…strangers to the covenants of promise… strangers and sojourners…” Rather a time of be-ing “…fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God…”. It is a living experience of “peace”. It is a “dwelling in…Kindness and truth.” It is an encounter with, a be-ing with “Justice…and salvation, along the way of his (Christ’s) steps.” His kingdom is a be-ing, a total experience of Promise, Peace, Community, Kindness, Truth, Justice and Salvation. His (God’s) kingdom is to be.

And how are we to prepare to be in His Kingdom? Today’s gospel tells us rather emphatically to be- ready, to live in a state of readiness, “Gird(ed)…like servants who await their master’s return…ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks”. To be ready is the message of today’s readings. “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant…” “…Blessed are those…(who are) prepared.”.

“…ready to open…” It is not a door which we are instructed, invited to open but rather our hearts. To be invited, to be welcomed into be-ing in ‘his kingdom’, a perpetual state of Peace, Community, Justice, and Salvation are hearts, minds, attitudes and actions must be prepared. Ready at least as far as humanly possible - straining, striving, yearning, working toward, preparing - to be in ‘his kingdom’.

The sad news is that we deceive ourselves if we imagine this to be a description of today’s world. Likewise, for many, it is not a lived experience of our church.

The goodnews, the encouraging news of today’s very poignant readings is that “the Holy Spirit will teach you (us) what to say…”. Will teach us how to live, how to be when our hearts are open.

Amen

Reflection:

Do you feel unworthy of God’s love? Why? Isn’t His sacrifice enough for you?

Jesus, my Savior, I thank You for dying for me. May Your sacrifice be a constant reminder of how precious I am in Your eyes.