Today’s readings speak about the kingdom life that we live on earth and in heaven.

Solomon’s proverbs begin with the proclamation of the life drawing and the image of the kingdom that we are living.

“A gracious woman The merciful man There is one who scatters, yet increases more; The generous soul”

(Proverbs 11)

 

The book of Isaiah explains the difference between those who live the kingdom and those who do not.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, My servants shall eat, But you shall be hungry; Behold, My servants shall drink, But you shall be thirsty; Behold, My servants shall rejoice, But you shall be ashamed;

Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, But you shall cry for sorrow of heart, And wail for grief of spirit.” (Isaiah 65)

 

In the book of Job, God reveals Himself to Job, and Job discovers the vast difference between his previous knowledge of God and God’s revelation to him now.

“Then Job answered the Lord and said:

“I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.” (Job 42)

 

In the Matins psalm, the soul declares its intense thirst for God, the king of its life.

“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You” (Psalms 63)

 

In the Matins gospel, the Lord reveals the glory that the Sons of the kingdom experience;the glory of serving others.

“Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave– just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20)

 

That is why Paul reveals the glory of the kingdom within us and in our hearts and the weight of eternal glory prepared for us.

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” (2 Corinthians 4)

Just as Catholic Epistle declares how much love for brethern does in that it brings us from death to life, it warns of the danger of hatred that deprives us of eternal life.

“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3)

 

Praxis declares that The New Testament Kingdom is the fulfillment of God’s promise to the fathers.

” And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.” (Acts 26)

 

In the psalm of the liturgy, the soul turns to the church, the place and icon of the kingdom life and the reason for its joy. “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalms 122)

 

The Gospel of the liturgy concludes with the proclamation of the nature of the Kingdom and its difference from life on Earth.”For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry

nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” (Mark 12)

It also explains that the righteous who have fallen asleep enjoy their lives in heaven.

“I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.” (Mark 12)

 

The summary of the readings

Thanking and giving thanks are the image of the kingdom that we are living now. Proverbs

Satiety, contentment and joy are the kingdom gifts for believers. The book of Isaiah

The vast difference between hearing about God and seeing Him with the eye of faith. Job

The intense thirst for the divine presence. The Matins psalm

Serving others is the glory of the kingdom on Earth. The Matins gospel

The treasure is within us, the light is in our hearts, and the prepared glory is eternal. Pauline Epistle

Brotherly love proclaims the kingdom that we live. Catholic Epistle

The Kingdom is the fulfillment of God’s promise to the fathers. Praxis

The church is the source of our joy and the center of our kingdom. The liturgy psalm

Those who have fallen asleep in faith live eternal life, which does not know material needs. The Gospel of liturgy