A well-known passage for living in the Kingdom of God is found in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5 through 7.
The first thing to note is that the subject is a kingdom, identified with God and Heaven. God, specifically Jesus, is both the King and the norm for Kingdom living.
From the beginning, we face a cultural challenge. Our nation was founded upon dissatisfaction with a king and a new experiment with self-government, designed by those being governed.
This is not unique to the United States, but was being tested in various nations, especially in what was called “Western Civilization.”
So, if we read these three chapters looking for a life plan, we find ourselves on a very different track than our prevailing culture, and with it, many of the subconscious assumptions we have in and around us.
Chapter 5 opens with a discussion of law in the kingdom. As Jesus begins with the beatitudes, we notice the prevalence of referring to persons in the plural.
The blessings of the Kingdom of heaven are to “they” and “them” rather than individuals.
Jesus quickly reminds his hearers that he is not taking away the law but fulfilling it. The last verse of the chapter is a statement on how seriously Jesus takes this norm, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven, is perfect.”
Chapter 6 doubles down on Jesus’ insistence on referencing the citizens of the kingdom in the plural. When he teaches how to pray, the pronouns in the Lord’s prayer are “our” “we” and “us.” We don’t find “me” “my” and “I” in the Lord’s prayer.
Likewise, Jesus’ prayer calls for a Kingdom rather than a congress. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Throughout Matthew’s Gospel, we see that what is done in heaven comes first, is the norm, and Earth is called on to conform to it.
Chapter 7 continues with practical things involved in kingdom living together as a people, exercising both prudence in planning and living the plan with perseverance.
Not surprisingly, Matthew’s Gospel ends with Jesus instructing his disciples to “teach all nations” and “teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you.”
It comes clear that “kingdom living” doesn’t allow us to be passive consumers of our culture. We are called on to build it here, “as it is in heaven.”
Pastor Fr. William Hodgson is the priest at St. Edward Catholic Church in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-4948 or stedwardcassville@gmail.com.
