The Kingdom of God - stmatthiascolumbus.com Oakland Park 268-441 1 John s A uto Service , Inc. 749...
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Transcript of The Kingdom of God - stmatthiascolumbus.com Oakland Park 268-441 1 John s A uto Service , Inc. 749...
The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God is a difficult concept for us. For many
reasons. God is, was and always will be a complete
mystery that we can never fathom. We have no experience
of a king, therefore a kingdom is not familiar. God's
kingdom was a Jewish idea, a Jewish hope that non-Jews
have to approach by analogy and comparison.
The strangeness of God's kingdom is further mystified by
the way we imagine it to have happened. I think we
imagine God in heaven saying something like this to His
Son, "Things are not going well on earth, not happening
according to plan. And if this pattern keeps up, My wishes
will never be done on earth. So, why don't you go as My
messenger and proclaim the beginning of God's Kingdom?"
Since we have seen movies of kingly messengers reading
royal proclamations, we imagine Jesus coming to earth as
a divine messenger to preach, to proclaim this divine
decree. But that is just a popular myth, a
misunderstanding of Jesus, therefore a mistaken notion of
the Kingdom that he proclaimed.
Jesus did not ride into town with a proclamation in His
saddlebag. Jesus came into this world naked and
penniless, as we all do. The most important thing that
Scripture says about Jesus is that "He was human like us, in
all ways but sin." Like us in all ways means that He started
with nothing and gradually built up a unique
personality; that is, His own way of dealing with God, other
people and reality as a whole the way His own people
understood it. He had no proclamation, no plan - He had
just Himself.
Being without sin is also hard to grasp because evil is a
profound mystery. We can recognize this or that as a
specific sin, but we do not know how anyone chooses to
do wrong; how anyone can act against their basic instinct
for good. One preacher tried to explain Jesus' sinlessness
by saying that when Joseph dropped a hammer on his toe
he said "Damnl"- but Jesus could not do that.
That is surely a silly notion of sin. Sin is a radical turning in
on yourself, which includes turning away from God and
other people. Sin is living in the darkness of our own ego,
following the dictates of our selfish drives. That is how
Jesus was without sin. He was transparent to God, totally
open to God's providence, willing exactly what God willed,
even death. Being sinless, one with God, meant that God's
will was not a burden but His very sustenance.
And being sinless meant that Jesus was completely
transparent to other people. He had no guilt to project on
others, no personal agenda to impose on them, no
egotistical obsession to use others as His foils. Therefore,
He did not worry about Peter's obtuseness, did not
begrudge the betrayal of Judas, and despite The Da Vinci
Code, had no second thoughts about Magdalene. Since
Jesus was at ease with God, He could accept everyone just
as God accepted them.
That is the way Jesus grew up, at peace with God and with
others. Scripture calls it "growing in wisdom and grace
before God and people." Until that day when His own
religious maturity led Him to be baptized. That is when His
personal relationship with God was publicly proclaimed;
Jesus was recognized as God's Beloved.
Suddenly, Jesus understood that this is precisely the way
that everyone should feel: without guilt, transparent to
God, open to people, living in agreement with God's
providence for earth. But what would such a wonderful
condition be called? His Jewish tradition provided a ready
answer: the Kingdom of God.
So, Jesus spent His whole energy and life proclaiming,
promoting, explaining this ancient dream, interpreting it
for His contemporary listeners. The Kingdom was from
God, but demanded personal decision. It would start
embarrassingly small, but grow to huge size. The rich
would find entrance expensive, but the poor had a free
pass. The Kingdom was worth more than pearls, but cost
nothing. It was the dwelling place of God with children
running all over the place.
Jesus did not merely proclaim the Kingdom - he personified
it.
STEWARDSHIP MEDITATION
3rd
Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” - Mark 1:17
Jesus’ call to “Follow me” is a call to all Christians! The call is
in the here and now, in our present circumstances, not when
we think we are “ready” or have everything in order. Good
stewardship of our God-given gifts means that things aren’t
always going to go according to our schedule and that God
has a much better plan in store for each of us.
SAINT MATTHIAS CHURCH 1582 FERRIS ROAD
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43224 PASTOR: Fr. Raymond Larussa
PASTORAL ASSOCIATE: Sr. Marie Shields SNDdeN
Web site – www.stmatthiascolumbus.catholicweb.com E-mail – [email protected]
Rectory: 614- 267 -3406 School : 614-268 -3030
MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF January 21, 2018
M 8:30 Josep Tran & Maria Hoa
T 8:30 Mary Gioffre
W 8:30 Dianne McGarvey
T 8:30 Virginia Stack
F 8:30 John Ritchey
S 5:00 Larry Ten Brink
S 9:00 Parishioners
11:00 Lyman & Jane Durbin
1:45 Haitian Mass
7:15 Brazilian Mass
3RD
Sunday 3:00 Nigerian Mass
Sacrament of Penance–Every Saturday 4:15 PM–4:45 PM.
SACRISTY WORKERS FOR January 26, 2018 Jimmy and Winson Snelling
GREETERS FOR JANUARY 5:00 PM Connie Swigert, Winnie Durbin 9:00 AM Diann Roberts, Marie Pusateri, Cathy Strickland 11:00 AM Beth Smith
SCHOOL HAPPENINGS **Today, Sunday, January 21 – Grade 2 First Penance/ Communion Meeting at 9:45 AM. **Tuesday, January 23 – Grade 5, Packing Lunches for the homeless at 7:00 AM. **Friday, February 2 – All School Mass at 8:30 AM OPENINGS AVAILABLE IN GRADES K-5 If you have a child whom you would like to enroll for next school year, please call the school office at 614.268.3030 or contact Mr. Kinley at [email protected].
CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS Please call the Rectory, 614.267.3406, if you would like to receive a statement of your 2017 contributions. The Bishop’s Annual Appeal receipts will be sent to us by the Diocesan Development Office around the middle of January.
SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF FAITH This weekend of January 20 and 21 is time to renew membership in the Society for the Propagation of Faith. To join, please use your collection envelope for Membership
Sunday.
RESPECT LIFE MASS Bishop Campbell will celebrate the annual Respect Life Mass, tomorrow, January 22, 12:00-1:00 PM, at St. Joseph Cathedral. All are invited to attend. All dioceses in the country will observe a day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CONVOCATION
Father Brian Davies will present St. Thomas Aquinas on God
and Evil at Ohio Dominican University’s Center for Dominican Studies and the Office of Academic Affairs. This presentation will be the keynote address at the Annual St. Thomas Aquinas Convocation at 11:00 AM, January 25, 2018. The convocation will take place at Matesich Theatre inside Erskine Hall on the ODU campus, 1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus, 43219. The lecture is free and open to the public.
BUILDING A CULTURE OF LIFE CONFERENCE
The Greater Columbus Right to Life will present Building a
Culture of Life: Respect Life, Bioethics, and Leadership on January 26 & 27, 2018, at St. Peter Catholic Church, 6899 Smoky Road, Columbus, OH 43235. Registration information is at www.gcrtl.org/lifeconference or call 614.241.2540. The deadline to register is this Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S AND MEN’S ANNUAL
CONFERENCES
The 11th
Annual Catholic Women’s Conference will be held February 17. The 21
th Annual Catholic Men’s Conference
will be held February 24. For more information – Women’s conference: www.columbuscatholicwomen.com Men’s conference: www.catholicmensministry.com.
2018 MASS REQUESTS Please send requests in the mail for dates in 2018. Please limit your requests to one weekend Mass and four weekday Masses. If you would like confirmation of the dates, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. No Phone requests, please. Stipend is $10. We will try to get as close to the requested dates as possible. FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION AT ST. MATTHIAS Is February 2, 2018, following the 8:30 Mass until 11:30 AM. All are invited to sign up in the vestibule at St. Matthias. Spend 30 minutes adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. For more information, call Joann Pelino at 614.267.2405. IT IS FISH FRY TIME Our Fish Frydays begin February 16
th. So please think about
volunteering this Lent.
(Next to Hyde’s Carryoutin the Milano Center)
* We Deliver *
LargeOne Item PIZZAonly $11.99One Coupon Per Pizza
433-97001418 Morse Rd.
Assumption Council #3727We Are Catholic Men Who Pray,
Work and Have Fun Together.Grand Knight Bob Blazek
614-306-1509Meetings at St. Matthias
10 a.m. 2nd Sunday of the Month
HEATING AND COOLINGRESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
Gas • Oil • Electric • Heat Pumps • Humidifiers www.favret.com 614-488-52111296 Dublin Rd.
(614) 818-4600www.concordmortgagegroup.com
Facebook.com/ConcordMGMBMB.850027.005/NMLS 121455 735 Ceramic Place, Westerville, OH 43081 Division of NOIC
“We Believe in Homeownership”
Jeff Brader Josh Brader
MARY SGUERRA818-7636
I Sell Homes in All Sizes
Always call Mary,“Your Neighborhood Realtor®”
St. James & DeSalesGraduate,
SJL Parishioner
COSMETIC AUTORESTORATION LLC
• Exterior & Interior Repairs• Auto Body Repairs• Insurance Claims
Steve Reither, Owner5435 Byers Circle West
SpecializedReconditioning & Detailing
Since 1992
Buy & Sell Pre-Owned Vehicles
Harry R. PaulinoAttorney-at-Law
939-4945Wills & Probate
1177 W. Fifth Ave.Columbus, OH 43212
614-294-4416
Compliments of
Cook’s IGA1225 Oakland Park
268-4411
John’sAuto Service, Inc.
749 E. Lincoln Ave. 885-9242
COMPLETE AUTO &LIGHT TRUCK REPAIR
WE KEEP YOU DRIVING!
St. Anthony Council #14093Charity • Unity
Fraternity • PatriotismAll Catholic men are welcome!
For more information:Grand Knight Don Downs
[email protected] * 614-989-2899
Rutherford Funeral Homes & Crematories“There is a Difference”
Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home515 N. High St.614-885-4006
Funeral Pre-Planning Availablewww.rutherfordfuneralhome.com [email protected]
Rutherford Funeral Home2383 N. High St.614-299-1153
JOHN PRESTON CO.For All Your
Remodeling Needs
614-736-2252
40 Years Experience
5770 Karl Rd.Mark RobbinsPharmD, RPhPharmacy Manager
847-3784
Altman & Lacher FamilyLinda GiulianiPeter Giuliani
Margaret KappsRobert Kapps
Charlotte KernsRev. Raymond E. Lavelle
“A Family Tradition Since 1937”Famous Market 846-63401405 E. Dublin-Granville Rd.
Family Ristorante 848-44882025 Polaris Pkwy.
317 S. Fifth St. 228-9074 1/2 Block Off Main
MEAT PACKERS OUTLETRetail Meats • Low Prices on Fresh Cut
Beef • Pork • Smoked Meats • Deli Items - Poultry
Store Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8-6 Closed Sunday (Next to Hyde’s Carryoutin the Milano Center)
* We Deliver *
LargeOne Item PIZZAonly $11.99One Coupon Per Pizza
433-97001418 Morse Rd.
Assumption Council #3727We Are Catholic Men Who Pray,
Work and Have Fun Together.Grand Knight Bob Blazek
614-306-1509Meetings at St. Matthias
10 a.m. 2nd Sunday of the Month
HEATING AND COOLINGRESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
Gas • Oil • Electric • Heat Pumps • Humidifiers www.favret.com 614-488-52111296 Dublin Rd.
(614) 818-4600www.concordmortgagegroup.com
Facebook.com/ConcordMGMBMB.850027.005/NMLS 121455 735 Ceramic Place, Westerville, OH 43081 Division of NOIC
“We Believe in Homeownership”
Jeff Brader Josh Brader
MARY SGUERRA818-7636S-M-L-XL
I Sell Homes in All Sizes
Always call Mary,“Your Neighborhood Realtor®”
SOLDSt. James & DeSalesGraduate,
SJL Parishioner
COSMETIC AUTORESTORATION LLC
• Exterior & Interior Repairs• Auto Body Repairs• Insurance Claims
Steve Reither, Owner5435 Byers Circle West
SpecializedReconditioning & Detailing
Since 1992
614-802-2590614-565-7041 (C)
Buy & Sell Pre-Owned Vehicles
Don’t be fooled by the name...I work on new as well as old!
Harry R. PaulinoAttorney-at-Law
939-4945Wills & Probate
www.teritas.com for coupons!475-21003905 CLEVELAND AVE.
Serving the North End Since 1959Sun.-Thur. 4-11 • Fri.-Sat. 4-12
1 Item Large Pizza for $12 (1 coupon/customer)
1177 W. Fifth Ave.Columbus, OH 43212
614-294-4416
JACK L. WOODSPLUMBING CO.Quality Plumbing Repairs
882-9700OH Lic. #25971 • Senior Savings
Compliments of
Cook’s IGA1225 Oakland Park
268-4411
John’sAuto Service, Inc.
749 E. Lincoln Ave. 885-9242
COMPLETE AUTO &LIGHT TRUCK REPAIR
WE KEEP YOU DRIVING!
St. Anthony Council #14093Charity • Unity
Fraternity • PatriotismAll Catholic men are welcome!
For more information:Grand Knight Don Downs
[email protected] * 614-989-2899
Wenger TemperatureControl Inc.
Call Us For Your Heating &Air Conditioning needs.
614-443-22122005 Progress Ave.
mention this ad for a discount
Rutherford Funeral Homes & Crematories“There is a Difference”
Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home515 N. High St.614-885-4006
Funeral Pre-Planning Availablewww.rutherfordfuneralhome.com [email protected]
Rutherford Funeral Home2383 N. High St.614-299-1153
JOHN PRESTON CO.For All Your
Remodeling Needs
614-736-2252
40 Years Experience Jennifer Valentine
275 Old County Line Rd., Ste. MWesterville, OH 43081
614-774-2101St. Anthony Alumnus
valequityrealestate.comfacebook.com/ValEquityRealEstate
5770 Karl Rd.Mark RobbinsPharmD, RPhPharmacy Manager
847-3784
In Loving Memory
Altman & Lacher FamilyLinda GiulianiPeter Giuliani
Margaret KappsRobert Kapps
Charlotte KernsRev. Raymond E. Lavelle
HOME OF
Celebrations!BIRTHDAYS • BAPTISMS • BRIDAL EVENTS
BUCADIBEPPO.COM
“A Family Tradition Since 1937”Famous Market 846-63401405 E. Dublin-Granville Rd.
Family Ristorante 848-44882025 Polaris Pkwy.
A Tradition of Caring. Close to Home.Kristin Miller & Debbie KelsikMarketing [email protected] Karl Rd., Columbus
614-431-1739 614-431-0247 fax
