Today’s readings talk about who the members and disciples of the kingdom are, what their nature is, what their role is, and how their influence is.

Solomon’s proverbs begin with talking about their qualities, influence, the value of their existence for others.

“The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, ” (Proverbs 10,11)

And in Isaiah the prophet,it describes how the members of the kingdom fast and how their lives have an impact and meaning through their fasting.

“Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord?

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?

Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (Isaiah 58)

 

In the book of Job, how the sons talk to their father and how the disciples of the kingdom talk to the King.

“Then Job answered the Lord and said:

“Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth.

Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” (Job 40)

 

And in the Matins psalm the importance of their dependence on God.

“For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.” (Psalms 57)

 

The Matins gospel highlights our attitude to money, to reconciliation and peace with others as a sign of the sincerity of our discipleship.

“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?

It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out.” (Luke 14)

 

In Pauline Epistle, the disciples of the kingdom are those who believe from the heart and who always call on the name of the Lord.

“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10)

 

Catholic Epistle declares the disciples of the kingdom as the firstfruits of God’s creatures, their speech and behavior.

Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;” (James 1)

 

As for Praxis, it refers to the rampage of the world and non-believers in every generation over the children of the kingdom.

“And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.

this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.” (Acts 19)

 

And in the psalm of the liturgy the constant repentance of the children of the kingdom.

“And cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.” (Psalms 51)

 

The Gospel of the liturgy concludes with the assurance of the journey and destiny of the children of the Kingdom and how the Father draws them to Him and gives them the art of His knowledge.

“and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;

Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” (John 6)

 

 

The summary of the readings

The qualities of the righteous sons of the kingdom and their influence. Proverbs

Their accepted fasting and its result in their lives. The book of Isaiah

Their dialogue and prayer with God. The book of Job

Their dependence on Him. The Matins Psalms

Their attitude to money and to peace with others evaluates their discipleship. The Matins gospel

They believe in Him from the heart and always calls on His name. Pauline Epistle

The firstfruits of God’s creatures declare this in their speech and behavior. Catholic Epistle

The rampage of the world against them. Praxis

Their constant repentance. The liturgy psalm

He draws them to Him and gives them the grace of His knowledge. The Gospel of the liturgy