Throughout this retreat, we have touched on various concepts related to the Kingdom of Heaven. Now, let us delve deeper into what exactly this Kingdom refers to, and where it is.

As the name suggests, the Kingdom of Heaven is the Kingdom of God, meaning that God, through Jesus Christ, reigns over all creation. Jesus is the King of this Kingdom.

Pope Benedict XVI, in the first volume of his book Jesus of Nazareth, explains that the Kingdom is not a thing, it is not a geographical dominion like worldly kingdoms. It is a person; it is Jesus Himself.

Through His teachings and example, Jesus fulfilled the will of the Father and embodied the spirit of the Kingdom. Therefore, Pope Benedict XVI emphasizes that the Kingdom of God is Jesus Himself.

His incarnation as a human being embodies the fact that the Kingdom of Heaven has come to earth. Pope Benedict XVI further states: “By the way in which he speaks of the Kingdom of God, Jesus leads men to realize the overwhelming fact that in him God himself is present among them, that he is God’s presence.”

In reality, the Kingdom of God exists in the hearts of people and within the Church that Jesus established. It exists through the Church. Thus, the Kingdom of God is not just a hope for the future, but is already present in this world through the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Sacraments.

However, the Kingdom of Heaven on earth is imperfect because the Church is a church of sinners. Just as Jesus used the parable of the weeds among the wheat (cf. Matthew 13:30) to describe the Kingdom of Heaven, He said that both will grow together in the field until the harvest, which is until Christ returns for the final judgment.

So, the Kingdom of Heaven is also a future reality, to be fully realized at the end of the world when Christ comes again. This is the concept of the Kingdom of Heaven having already begun but not yet completed.

To find hope in the Kingdom of God, we first need a heart of repentance and conversion. This means we must transform our heart and mindset to turn away from sin, and join the family of the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism, becoming a part of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, the Mystical Body of Christ. We must live in Christ and attain communion with all those loved by God, our brothers and sisters in Christ, so that our lives may be made whole.

Through the Church and within the Church, we can more easily discern the will of God and live out the spirit of the Kingdom of Heaven, that is, the spirit of Christ. To do so, we need to live by the Word, for Christ is the Word. Those who hear the words of Christ and act on them will build their lives on a solid foundation and become heirs of the Kingdom.

But to inherit the Kingdom, we must fulfill the new commandment that Jesus gave when He instituted the Church, that is, we must love one another as He has loved us. This new commandment of love is the core of the Kingdom of Heaven!

It also helps us to embody and carry out the justice and will of our Heavenly Father within the Kingdom, that is, in the Church and in the world today. By doing so, we can bring transformation to the world, reshape human relationships, and foster a culture of true love, peace, forgiveness, and service to one another.

When our hearts proclaim Jesus as our Saviour and King, and we sincerely live out His teachings to love God and others, then we truly live in the Kingdom of Heaven. At the same time, the Kingdom, that is, Jesus Christ, lives within us and takes root in our hearts.

Our lives are made complete in the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love given to us by God. With steadfast hope, we can look forward to the second coming of the King of Heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

Do you yearn to live within the Kingdom of God? How can you turn this longing into reality by living out the spirit of the Kingdom and of Christ in your daily life?

Do you long for the perfect Kingdom of Heaven that will come when Jesus returns? How will you prepare yourself to welcome the arrival of this new heaven and new earth?

Are you living in the Mystical Body of Christ, that is, within the Church, and in communion with your brothers and sisters in the faith, supporting one another as you journey together toward the Kingdom of Heaven?

Today’s Prayer

Abba Father, I sincerely thank You for letting Jesus become man for the sake of the mankind You love and for my sake. Not only did He suffer, endure hardship, and die on the cross for me, He was also willing to experience all the pain of this world just to be truly present with me.

But my life is so busy, and there are so many temptations. I also have many earthly desires and cravings that leave no room for me to sense Your presence in my life, to appreciate all You’ve done for me. I have not truly lived in Your Kingdom or lived out its essence.

Thank You for Your patience with me. I know You have been waiting, waiting for me to awaken, waiting for me to draw closer to You.

Please grant me Your vision, so that I may see Your Kingdom here on earth. And please give me a desire to immerse myself in the life of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, so that I may truly find the hope of life in the Kingdom of God here on earth.

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Writer: Paul Yeung
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