“In 2019, I’d like . . . .[6]

Source: seekingkingdom.com

In 2029, I’d like to  see more informed people working for the common good, for the kingdom of God. Why this dream for 2019? Because I think too many of us today are drifting to the siren call of the authoritarian ruler who claims to have all the answers, who has simple solutions, who will defeat our “enemies”, and who will lead us back to “the good old days”.

“Love God and your neighbour as your self “ may sound similar to authoritarian rule, but it is not. Why? Because God has given each of us the free will we need in making informed choices. And thankfully, many of Jesus’ teachings on the kingdom of God focus on the type of practical choices that we as individuals and members of a family/group/city/province/country/world will have to make in building the kingdom.

We are also aware that as creatures of a loving God (unlike the authoritarian ruler) we are weak and sometimes make bad choices. But we beg forgiveness from God and our neighbours and keep working for the kingdom.

As St. Oscar Romero, the martyred bishop of El Salvador said:

“We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of freedom in realizing that.

             This enables us to do something and to do it very well.

              It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,

              an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.”

Richard Grover is a retired history and religion teacher from St. Paul's High School in Winnipeg.

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2 Comments
  • Robert Czerny
    Posted at 10:58h, 23 January Reply

    Very wisely put and relevant! Thanks. I hope your high school students appreciated you.

  • Larry Martell
    Posted at 13:21h, 23 January Reply

    Thought provoking Richard.

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