The Kingdom of God

Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

LK 17:20-25

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, we will often hear the term "the Kingdom of God." But what does it really mean in theology? It's a big question, one that ties into the heart of eschatology, the study of the end times.

Many people think of the Kingdom of God as a place—where the righteous are in God’s presence, where the saints dwell. While this is true, it’s not the whole picture.

Pope Benedict XVI explained that Jesus himself is the Kingdom of God—he is the Kingdom made flesh. Just as he is truth, wisdom, and righteousness, he is also the Kingdom itself. In other words, the Kingdom of God isn’t just an idea or a distant future event; it is Jesus Christ.

St. John Paul II echoed this, saying: "Christ not only proclaimed the Kingdom, but in him the Kingdom became present and was fulfilled." The Kingdom of God is not just a concept, a doctrine, or a program to be interpreted, but a person, the person of Jesus of Nazareth. If we separate the Kingdom from Christ, it is no longer the Kingdom of God that he revealed.

So, what does this mean for us? It means that wherever Christ is, there is the Kingdom of God. Christ is present with us today, especially in the Eucharist. When we receive Christ into our hearts, we invite His Kingdom into our lives. As the Church Father Origen said, “Those who pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God pray without any doubt for the Kingdom of God that they contain in themselves, and they pray that this kingdom might bear fruit and attain its fullness.”

The Kingdom of God is already here in us. Christ said, “For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” It begins in our hearts when we accept Jesus as our Savior, follow Him, and love others. It's not just something we observe or wait for in the future—it's something we can live with today. We live in the Kingdom when we serve others, show love, and work for peace and justice.

Though we don’t know when Christ will return, one day, we will stand before Him and give an account of our lives (2 Cor 5:10). The Kingdom is near and already present in the hearts of those who follow Christ. So, while we wait for His return, let’s live as if the Kingdom is already at hand—by showing His love, living in faith, and living out His justice in our daily lives.

Remember, heavenly life starts right here, right now because Christ is right here and now. May we seek Christ in all thing for He is the Kingdom of God himself. May God bless us all.