It is amazing how desensitized we are in our culture to the truth of the Kingdom, preoccupied as we are with satisfying the needs of the body. It was likely not much different in the culture at the time of Jesus’ public ministry. St Paul in Romans 14:7 commented that “it is not eating and drinking that make the Kingdom of God but rather the saving justice, the peace and the joy brought by the Holy Spirit”.
In this current Year A in the liturgical calendar, St Mathew in his gospel has spent a great deal of time commenting on the Kingdom of God and its values and how recognizing the reality of the Kingdom and its values is more likely for those with a childlike approach to faith then those who are learned. This reality applies not only to the unbaptized but also to those who have been baptized but not evangelized or not fully evangelized. As Jesus said in His gospel, as recorded by St. Mathew, “So do not worry; do not say- What are we to eat? What are we to drink? What are we to wear? It is the gentiles who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your hearts on his Kingdom first, and on God’s saving justice, and all these things will be given to you as well” [Matt 6: 31-33].
We have inherited a “right relationship” with God by virtue of the blood of Jesus that we receive, and our task is to live in and out of his righteousness. Our response is to hunger for it but not to stive for it by “performance” for a performance-based response, while it might appeal to our ego, is not based in love of God and in love of neighbor, which love is the foundation of the Kingdom of God, whose values reflect love, compassion, mercy, humility and trust in God.
The redemptive act of Jesus and our own baptism have opened the gates of heaven so that we have access to the Father. That access permits me to bring my fears and my weaknesses to the Father. I am always heard by my Father. The Father approves of me because of what Jesus has done in his passion, death and resurrection. As I contemplate the Kingdom and its values, I can rejoice and celebrate as I, in childlike wonder, learn to uncover the Kingdom and all it holds in store for me as I move ever more deeply into its environment.
One of the tools I have learned to use in my understanding of the Kingdom is a dose of daily meditative and contemplative prayer based upon the Gospel of the day and the mysteries of the rosary. This process is bringing me closer to God with whom I desire an intimate relationship.
It is a process of awakening that I engage in, and the Holy Spirit is paving the way.
Chris Wingham – July 25th, 2026
God Gracious 