89. Jesus identifies himself with the poor of every kind.

Jesus identifies himself with the poor of every kind.

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 89

Ave Maria series

89  To whom does Jesus promise “the kingdom of God”?

God wills “all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).  The “kingdom of God” begins in those who allow themselves to be transformed by God’s love.  In Jesus’ experience these above all are the poor and the lowly.  [541-546, 567]

The repentant Mary Magdalene was the first person mentioned in the Gospels to whom Jesus appeared on the day of his resurrection. ....89

Even people unaffiliated with the Church find it fascinating that Jesus, with a sort of preferential love, turns first to those who are socially marginalized.  In the Sermon on the Mount, it is the poor and the sorrowing, the victims of persecution and violence, all those who seek God with a pure heart, all who seek his mercy, his justice, and his peace, who have prior access to the kingdom of God.  Especially invited are sinners also: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

Jesus said about his Father: “He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”  Luke 4:18-19

 [541-546, 567]

"The kingdom of God is at hand"

541 "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying: 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:14-15).'"²⁴⁶  "To carry out the will of the Father Christ inaugurated the kingdom of heaven on earth (Lumen gentium 3)."²⁴⁷  Now the Father's will is "to raise up men to share in his own divine life (Lumen gentium 2.)."²⁴⁸  He does this by gathering men around his Son Jesus Christ. This gathering is the Church, "on earth the seed and beginning of that kingdom (Lumen gentium 5)".²⁴⁹ --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

542 Christ stands at the heart of this gathering of men into the "family of God". By his word, through signs that manifest the reign of God, and by sending out his disciples, Jesus calls all people to come together around him. But above all in the great Paschal mystery - his death on the cross and his Resurrection - he would accomplish the coming of his kingdom. "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." Into this union with Christ all men are called (John 12:32; compare Lumen gentium 3).²⁵⁰ --CCC

The proclamation of the kingdom of God

543 Everyone is called to enter the kingdom. First announced to the children of Israel, this messianic kingdom is intended to accept men of all nations (compare Matthew 8:11; Mt 10:5-7; Mt 28:19).²⁵¹  To enter it, one must first accept Jesus' word: --CCC

The word of the Lord is compared to a seed which is sown in a field; those who hear it with faith and are numbered among the little flock of Christ have truly received the kingdom. Then, by its own power, the seed sprouts and grows until the harvest (Lumen gentium 5; compare Mark 4:14; Mk 4:26-29; Luke 12:32).²⁵² --CCC

544 The kingdom belongs to the poor and lowly, which means those who have accepted it with humble hearts. Jesus is sent to "preach good news to the poor (Luke 4:18; compare Lk 7:22)";²⁵³  he declares them blessed, for "theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3)."²⁵⁴  To them - the "little ones" the Father is pleased to reveal what remains hidden from the wise and the learned (compare Matthew 11:25).²⁵⁵  Jesus shares the life of the poor, from the cradle to the cross; he experiences hunger, thirst and privation (compare Matthew 21:18; Mark 2:23-26; John 4:6-7; Jn 19:28; Luke 9:58).²⁵⁶  Jesus identifies himself with the poor of every kind and makes active love toward them the condition for entering his kingdom (compare Matthew 25:31-46) .²⁵⁷ –CCC

545 Jesus invites sinners to the table of the kingdom: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners (Mark 2:17; compare 1 Timothy 1:15)."²⁵⁸  He invites them to that conversion without which one cannot enter the kingdom, but shows them in word and deed his Father's boundless mercy for them and the vast "joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7; compare Lk 7:11-32)".²⁵⁹ The supreme proof of his love will be the sacrifice of his own life "for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28)".²⁶⁰ –CCC

546 Jesus' invitation to enter his kingdom comes in the form of parables, a characteristic feature of his teaching (compare Mark 4:33-34).²⁶¹  Through his parables he invites people to the feast of the kingdom, but he also asks for a radical choice: to gain the kingdom, one must give everything (compare Matthew 13:44-45; Mt 22:1-14).²⁶²  Words are not enough, deeds are required (compare Matthew 21:28-32).²⁶³  The parables are like mirrors for man: will he be hard soil or good earth for the word (compare Matthew 13:3-9)?²⁶⁴   What use has he made of the talents he has received (compare Matthew 25:14-30)?²⁶⁵  Jesus and the presence of the kingdom in this world are secretly at the heart of the parables. One must enter the kingdom, that is, become a disciple of Christ, in order to "know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:11)".²⁶⁶   For those who stay "outside", everything remains enigmatic (Mark 4:11; compare Matthew 13:10-15).²⁶⁷ –CCC

IN BRIEF

567 The kingdom of heaven was inaugurated on earth by Christ. "This kingdom shone out before men in the word, in the works and in the presence of Christ" (Lumen Gentium 5). The Church is the seed and beginning of this kingdom. Its keys are entrusted to Peter. --CCC