A reading from the gospel of Matthew 10:7-15

7 Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
9 Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
10 no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep.
11 Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave.
12 As you enter a house, wish it peace.
13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you.
14 Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
15 Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”

Reflection: The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

When the Kingdom of God is at hand, it means it is near or within our grasp. It is in our midst. We don’t have to look further. It means we can live in the Kingdom of God right now, right here.

In this kingdom, Jesus is the king, the healer, the giver of life, the exorcist, and the great provider. In the Kingdom of God, there is peace – the peace that the world cannot give.

When Jesus is king in all aspect of our life, we don’t worry about anything. His very presence in our midst is more precious than gold or silver. That is why, He urges us to “seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be given unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

When we enthrone Jesus to be the king in our life, we are bound to proclaim it to the whole world. When people accept our proclamation, they too will experience peace. If not, they will face the consequences.

It is now a matter of urgency that we make the kingdom of God a realization, a promise fulfilled, in our life and in the life of others. Therefore, we work for peace, love and justice to reign in our land because the Prince of Peace has made an indwelling in us.