The Kingdom of God

   

    The bible talks about a kingdom. In the Biblos, the word kingdom in Greek is basilica, which means kingdom, authority, kingship, rule, and sovereignty. However, in the Old Testament times, kingdom was referred to the country of Israel. Israel's kingdom was considered to be both man and God ruling over the people, and the entire providence with authority, power, and might. 

     In addition, the Israelites focused on the Davidic dynasty that was based on a covenant with God. Although the Israleites did not have a king from the very beginning, the Israelites could not understand the meaning of the kingdom. For instance, form the time of Moses and during the time of the judges, their only king was God alone, and yet, they wanted to have a man representing them, guiding them, and protecting them against their enemies. Because of this, they rejected not the kingdom of God butt eh protector and king of the Israelites, who was God alone. 

       Saul, who was the first king of Israel, was chosen to lead the people of God. On the other hand, Saul displeased the Lord, so The Lord chose David to guide his people. David was the second King of Israel. He was known to be a man after God's own heart. He had the fear of the Lord, despite his failings and short comings. He ruled Gid's kingdom with authority, might, and justice. As a result, God sworn to him thT his dynasty will last forever. On the contrary, there is a flip side to this side of the story because the kingdom of God is no longer focus in Jerusalem or in a specific place. The kingdom of God has revealed itself differently throughout the entire bible.

      The kingdom of God is no longer focused on a group of people or country; although, their
 is a kingdom in heaven where a community of believers would gather together around the King, who is Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus proclaims the Good News. His news is about repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. He is the Messiah that will liberate his people from the grips of Satan. Now, satan had dominion over the entire human race. No one, not event he holy Patriarchs and Prophets, were able to enter the kingdom of God. Because of this, God desenced into to the place of Sheol to liberate his people from the Old Testament beginning with Adam his first son. 

     As Jesus went through the towns and villages, he proclaimed the kingdom of God being at hand. Here the kingdom of God takes on a new meaning. It is no longer a specific place like the temple or Jerusalem. The kingdom of God is found in the heart of the human person. Christ wants to liberate the person in the heart and help him ascend to the Father through the narrow gate. 

     The kingdom of God is relevant to Jacob's ladder. When Jacob was traveling, he rested his head on a rock and went to sleep. In his dream, he saw a ladder touching earth and heaven. He also saw angels descending and ascending the ladder. Now, the rock where Jacob rested his head signifies Christ. Christ is the foundation and starting point to ascend to heaven; without Christ no one is able to enter the kingdom. The only way to ascend the ladder is by growing in grace and virtue. The ladder is narrow and difficult to climb because it takes a lot of practice to develop virtue and grow in humility. 

       On the first Sunday of advent, the readings were about climbing the mountain of The Lord. However, the overarching theme was about the kingdom of God. The mountain can only be climbed when the person has allowed God to reing in the heart and allow the Good Shepherd to lead the way in faith. In the Old Testament, God spoke from a fiery bush on Mount Sinai. He, God, gave Moses the Ten Commandments and handed them down to his people to follow the way to reach the mountain top. The commandments are directions for the heart to follow and not fall off the ladder as he or she ascends the mountain top. 

      Christ comes as the messiah, and he brings grace and love to help the sinner reach the mountain top. The sinner no longer has to walk the journey alone because Christ will dwell in the heart of the person. For this to happen, the Word of God makes it's dwelling in the heart of man. Jesus comes and makes his dwelling in the human heart through Word and Sacrament. Every time the priest celebrates the sacrament and proclaims the living Word of God, he brings to life the Good News of salvation by allowing the person to have an encounter with the Risen Lord. Let us climb the ladder of virtue and reach the mountaintop where God's reign endures forever.