Kingdom of God

[wmscott]

I am reading the book Jesus of Nazareth, by Pope Benedict XVI. Just as the Jews and Pharisees were, I was as blinded as they were to the concept of the Kingdom of God or Heaven as some these days seem to be. What really opened my eyes to just what the Kingdom of God or Heaven is, was reading chapter three of the book.

What struck me was the image I had of Jesus standing in their midst saying that the “Kingdom of God is at hand” basically saying fools you are looking at it, it’s ME!!! And yet they were so blinded by their foolish human pride and weakness they could not see the “Kingdom of God” when it was staring them in the face.

What I have read in so many threads with regards to God and the Christian faith is that it is based on our human, finite, and flawed understanding of God and what He is capable of, that we in so many ways fall short of understanding.

IMHO, because of our pride and blindness, bound by our human, finite, and flawed understanding of God, it is no wonder there is so much division and infighting. As Christians we all should be praying and working towards Christian unity.

For those who are Catholic I recommend this book, for our non-Catholic brothers and sisters it would not hurt to give it a read also. I am not trying to convert or point out flaws, just wanting to give something that may broaden our understanding of God if but a little. Peace.

 

[swariffin]

I am reading the book Jesus of Nazareth, by Pope Benedict XVI. Just as the Jews and Pharisees were, I was as blinded as they were to the concept of the Kingdom of God or Heaven as some these days seem to be. What really opened my eyes to just what the Kingdom of God or Heaven is, was reading chapter three of the book.

What struck me was the image I had of Jesus standing in their midst saying that the “Kingdom of God is at hand” basically saying fools you are looking at it, it’s ME!!! And yet they were so blinded by their foolish human pride and weakness they could not see the “Kingdom of God” when it was staring them in the face.

What I have read in so many threads with regards to God and the Christian faith is that it is based on our human, finite, and flawed understanding of God and what He is capable of, that we in so many ways fall short of understanding.

IMHO, because of our pride and blindness, bound by our human, finite, and flawed understanding of God, it is no wonder there is so much division and infighting. As Christians we all should be praying and working towards Christian unity.

For those who are Catholic I recommend this book, for our non-Catholic brothers and sisters it would not hurt to give it a read also. I am not trying to convert or point out flaws, just wanting to give something that may broaden our understanding of God if but a little. Peace.

You are correct, indeed. In my country, typical Christians (catholics and non-catholics) have a general belief that Heaven is a sort of a place or location where God dwells. It is quite an uncomfortable feeling to notice that in Cathecism of Catholic Church number 1024, saying that Heaven means in communion with God, Blessed Mary, all the saints and the angels. Article number 1025 says that “To live in heaven means To live in Christ”. So, Heaven does not mean a place/location.

 

[wmscott]

You are correct, indeed. In my country, typical Christians (catholics and non-catholics) have a general belief that Heaven is a sort of a place or location where God dwells. It is quite an uncomfortable feeling to notice that in Cathecism of Catholic Church number 1024, saying that Heaven means in communion with God, Blessed Mary, all the saints and the angels. Article number 1025 says that “To live in heaven means To live in Christ”. So, Heaven does not mean a place/location.

Hi swariffin, good to talk to you. Yes I have come to see things differently after reading Jesus of Nazareth. Many things I had not thought of are now a little clearer. It has also really changed my awareness of Christ’s presence in the Blessed Eucharist and among us through the Sacraments. Now I perceive His presence at the altar in the same sense as if I was looking at the Priest or Deacon. But then again we are approaching the throne of God are we not?

By the way I was in the U.S. Navy years ago and had the occasion to visit your region of the world many times. Singapore and Thailand being the closet to you. I loved the food and richness of the cultures.