ENTRANCE TO GOD'S KINGDOM


TUESDAY, THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT

Zeph 3:1-2,9-13; Ps 34:2-3,6-7,16,18-19,23; Mt 21:28-32

The Gate of God’s Kingdom

God made us for a purpose; namely, that we may know him, love him, and serve him in all things, so that we may commune with him forever. This divine purpose for man is enshrined in his word that he reveals to enlighten our intellect and inflame our hearts with love. The word is able to achieve these in us because it is Spirit and Life. Since our life has a purpose that is realisable only through the indwelling of the Eternal Word in us, the life of each of us will have no meaning when lived without the Word. This basic truth was illustrated in the reading from Numbers we had yesterday. The prophet Balaam revealed in his vision that the history of God’s people is inextricably tied to the coming of the Just One, who will reign over all. It is not only the life and history of the Israelites as the people of God that is intrinsically connected with the coming of the Word of God in human nature, but the life of each one of us. Each of us finds meaning in life only when we key into the will of God for us. Only Jesus Christ can illuminate the darkness or remove the meaningless in our lives, collectively and individually. He is the light that enlightens the dark history of every man and woman. This is because God made us for himself and not for ourselves. Our lives become meaningful only when we align with his life and plan.

Every house, that is, human life, that is not established on the will of God for man, will undoubtedly crash down; for it is an illegal structure which does not align with God’s design of his creation. “Trouble is coming to the rebellious, the defiled, the tyrannical city! She would never listen to the call, would never learn the lesson; she has never trusted in the Lord, never drawn near to her God.” Whatever we think we have achieved by our own power and skill, without reference to God and his plan for us, will amount to nothing. After mentioning the certain trouble or destruction that is bound to come to every life that has no foundation on the word of God, the prophet Zephaniah foretells the conversion of the people of Israel and other peoples back to God. In that conversion of Israel and every people to the word of God lies their deliverance from evil, forgiveness of their sins, and entrance into the kingdom of God. “Yes, I will then give the peoples lips that are clean, so that all may invoke the name of the Lord and serve him under the same yoke. From beyond the banks of the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants will bring me offerings.” The conversion will not be forced on anyone, for God made us free. But it will come upon us through our reflection on the outcome of our lives without God. So, it will be a conversion of our minds and hearts to God. “When that day comes you need feel no shame for all your misdeeds you have committed against me, for I will remove your proud boasters from your midst; and you will cease to strut on my holy mountain.”

The clear revelation of God’s light and will for us will cause all of us to be ashamed of how we have lived our lives without reference to the word of God. Our stubborn hearts will melt at the witness of God’s love for us and his wonderful plan for our everlasting good. This is the essence of the parable of our Lord to the priests and elders of the people. “A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go.” By this, he showed them their error in holding themselves aloof from others they perceived as sinners, since the ultimate sin is our failure to do God's will. The will of God is that we may enter his kingdom and live in communion with him. The way to enter is Jesus Christ. Whatever we do without paying attention to the presence of Jesus Christ with us, in the Scriptures and the mysteries of the Church, will amount to building our own kingdom that will crash down with time. “I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.” They were entering by taking special interest in Jesus Christ and taking his teachings to heart. Let us enter through the same narrow gate.

Let us pray: O God, who through your Only Begotten Son have made us a new creation, look kindly, we pray, on the handiwork of your mercy, and at your Son’s coming cleanse us from every stain of the old way of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Sonn, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. 

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