A while ago, a parishioner gave me a book called “Dream Bigger” by Dan Dematte.  Dan Dematte is the co-founder and executive director of Damascus, one of the fastest-growing youth and young adult ministry movements in the country.  I started reading it a couple weeks ago and I can’t put it down.  Page 15 resonates well with the gospel for this weekend...for Jesus said, “do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom.”  This is great news!  Now allow me to share what Dan wrote on this...

“Whoever wishes to save his life will throw it away; and whoever throws his life away for my sake, he will save it.” I love this translation!  To be a Christian means you throw away your life—your plans, your agenda, your wants, your dreams—into the trash.  Then, and only then, can you discover the Father’s dream for your life.  

But the question remains: If I deny myself and throw my life away, what on earth do I live this life for?  The very simple answer to this question is that the Christian lives for the sake of the Kingdom of God.  

Jesus tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt 6:33).  All of our life, for the rest of our life, is meant to be for the advancement of the Kingdom.  Fundamentally, whatever I am called to do, it is for the advancement of the Kingdom.  If I’m a priest or religious, I’m a priest or religious for the Kingdom.  If I’m a teacher, I’m a teacher for the Kingdom.  If I’m a doctor, I’m a doctor for the Kingdom.  If I’m in business, I’m in business for the Kingdom.  If I’m in the entertainment and arts industry, I’m in entertainment and arts for the Kingdom.  Do what you do, and do it for the advancement of the Kingdom.

When you fall in love with Jesus, who is the Kingdom, every decision you make should become a Kingdom decision.  How will you spend your time and money?  You time is Kingdom time.  Your dollars are Kingdom dollars.  What college degree will you pursue, what job will you take, whom will you marry, where will you buy a house or rent an apartment, what kind of car will you drive, and how will you invest in others?  In daily life, we need to seek first the Kingdom of God, to live our lives for the Kingdom.  The key is this: as a disciple, you are no longer making decisions in your own best interests; you are making decisions for the Kingdom’s best interests.  Whoa! Meditate on that! 

The Father wants to give you His Kingdom.  He wants you to live for His Kingdom.  Whatever we do is for the advancement and building up of His Kingdom.  Do we have the courage to let go of our will, our plan so that we are free to receive His will, His plan in our life?  Do we trust that it is better...that He knows what we need better than we do?

Live for His Kingdom,
Fr. Jeremy