Posted by The WORD in other words (2019) by Brother Romualdo Abulad SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle – June 11
Today we hear in no uncertain terms the teaching of Jesus: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7). John the Baptist had already been preaching the same message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2).
Of the many groups vying for attention, Jesus chose to join John, signifying the authenticity of his message. For the kingdom to be “at hand” means that it is already here in our midst. It is not remote or uncertain; it is present exactly where we are right now. Why then are we still unaware of it? Because repentance and conversion are the conditions that allow us to experience the kingdom.
Jesus’ message — His good news — is that things are no longer the same. The sick are cured, the dead are raised to life, lepers are cleansed, and demons are driven out (cf. Matthew 10:8; 11:5). His miracles signal the breaking out of a new era, the commencement of something radically new. Truly, things are not the same again.
And so, in Antioch there was great rejoicing when all people — Gentiles as well as Jews — were accepted for baptism, the sacrament that brings about new life (cf. Acts 11:26). It was in Antioch where we were first called Christians. Christ, after whom we are named, is the sign of transfigured times, the out-breaking of the great day of rejoicing, when we have all become, like Christ Himself, a new creation (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17).
For the renewed human person, the kingdom of heaven is no longer a dream but already a reality.
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