So where is the kingdom of God? The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was coming. The mystery of God's law of love does not come with signs to be observed. Jesus said, "Nor will they say, 'Lo, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."
Jesus does not persuade us by the edge of a sword. Truth dripping with the love of God is the message of Jesus. Many ask cynically, "What is truth?" Jesus speaks words that bring the fresh breezes of truth. Hearts touched by these winds of grace recognize the Captain of their salvation. They receive with unfettered joy his yoke which does not chafe. They carry the burden of his truth; a burden that is not heavy.
Pilate wrestled with the accusations that brought Jesus before him. Pilate's world was fraught with the politics of war and conquest and subjugation. The words 'king' and 'kingdom' and 'kingship' had singular meanings for him. Kings fight battles that bring humiliation for the conquered and power for the undefeated. That was Pilate's world. Now this Jesus, charged with political treason, speaks as a King of Truth. Jesus said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." It is an inner freedom that brings us back to the God who is Love. Our liberation comes from the teaching of Jesus who knows that evil things come from within; they imprison and defile us.
The inner sanctuary of our life is called the heart. It is here where we regain our understanding that we are created in the image of God. It is to this immeasurable place of her being Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity invited the Thrice Holy One to make his home. Her prayer is worthy of our contemplation:
O my God, Trinity whom I adore, help me forget myself entirely so to establish myself in you, unmovable and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to trouble my peace or make me leave you, O my unchanging God, but may each minute bring me more deeply into your mystery! Grant my soul peace. Make it your heaven, your beloved dwelling and the place of your rest. May I never abandon you there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to your creative action.
In this Year of Faith we seek a deeper conversion and love for God. This is the meaning of the Holy Father's announcement of this important theme. We need a closer walk with the Lord. Everyone of us need to more actively invite God's presence into our lives. There is no one who does not need new eyes to see again the splendor of truth. The Psalmist proclaimed, "Thy word have I hidden within my heart that I might not sin against thee." The Gospels give us the life and teaching of our Lord. Try reading these four books again in this Year of Faith and let the life and words of Jesus and his love come into your heart. Let us renew the love we had at first for Christ and make him again the King of our heart.
Into my heart,
Into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Come in today, come in to stay,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Amen.
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