The WORD in other words (2006) by Father Hermogenes Bacareza SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Thursday 14th Week in Ordinary Time
One of my students once asked: “Do we have to look far to see what the kingdom of God looks like?” My answer was simple: “Not at all! The kingdom of God is right here with us.”
The prophet Hosea speaks of God as the head of the kingdom—our healer, provider, and forgiver. Even when His people turn away, He continues to shower blessings upon them. Hosea portrays God as a loving Father, saddened by the carelessness of His children, yet never withdrawing His love: “How can I give you up, Ephraim? … My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender” (Hosea 11:8).
The hymn inspired by Hosea captures this divine longing:
“Come back to me with all your heart, Don’t let fear keep us apart… Long have I waited for your coming home to me, And living deeply our new life.”
This is the essence of the kingdom: God’s patient love, always inviting us back.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues this mission of healing and forgiveness. He commissions the apostles: “Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near’” (Matthew 10:6–7).
They are instructed to travel lightly, depending only on what is provided, so that their focus remains on the salvation of souls. Their mission is marked by signs of God’s care: healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, and driving out demons (Matthew 10:8).
The apostles were to be selfless, seeking no payment other than heaven. We too are challenged to carry on the apostolic work of the Church. The kingdom is not far—it is present wherever healing, forgiveness, and love are shared.
The question is not whether the kingdom exists, but whether we are willing to meet the challenge head-on: to proclaim, to serve, and to embody the mercy of God in our own time.
