Episode Transcript  

One

The Kingdom Is Jesus Himself

What exactly are we asking for when we pray, “Thy Kingdom come”? The Catechism (2816–2821) explains this really clearly. Most people think of the Kingdom as a place. But the Catechism says that "The Kingdom of God means Christ himself" (CCC 2816). Pope Benedict XVI writes that, “Jesus himself is the Kingdom; the Kingdom is not a thing; it is not a geographical dominion like worldly kingdoms. It is a person; it is Jesus.” (Jesus of Nazareth vol 1. P. 49)

When we pray, "Thy Kingdom come," we are praying for Jesus to come into our lives, into our souls so that we can have a deep friendship with him. Because everything begins with friendship with Christ.

Two

We Are Asking Christ to Reign Over Every Part of Our Lives

In the New Testament, the Greek word for "Kingdom" is basileia. It can mean three things: kingdom, kingship, and reign. A king reigns by governing. So this petition is really asking, "Jesus, govern my thoughts, my desires, my words, my decisions, my family, my work, my use of money, my relationships."

It is easy to say Jesus is Savior. It is much harder to let Him be King in every part of my life. Every day we choose who will reign: Christ,  ourselves, or something else.

Three

His Kingdom Grows Whenever We Learn and Live His Teaching

A king governs through his laws. But Christ's laws are not arbitrary rules. God is love, and we are created in His image and likeness. Every teaching of Christ reveals how God designed us to love as He loves. That is why His teachings lead to true happiness, lasting peace, and the flourishing of every person, every family, and every society.

Praying, "Thy Kingdom come," commits us to learning what Jesus teaches through His Church and allowing His teaching to govern our lives.

Whenever I think of a topic for a meditation, I think, "I can write about that." But when I actually sit down to prepare it, I usually discover that I have my own ideas and opinions, but I don't understand the teaching of Jesus as well as I should. So I have to go and learn what Jesus and His Church actually teach, and why they teach it.

What about you? Have you taken the time to learn what Christ and His Church actually teach about the dignity of every human life, contraception, abortion, marriage and divorce, homosexual acts, reproductive technologies, euthanasia, war and peace, immigration, care for the poor, forgiveness, generosity, honesty, prayer, and the universal call to holiness? Or have you simply assumed that your opinions already agree with Christ's? Every time we discover what Jesus teaches and freely choose to live it, His Kingdom comes more fully into our lives.

Four

The Kingdom Spreads Through Friendship

The Catechism teaches that the Church is the seed and beginning of the Kingdom of God. That means when we pray, "Thy Kingdom come," we are asking the Father to bring every person into the Kingdom of His Son, that every person may come to know, love, and follow Jesus Christ. But we are not only asking God to act. We are also offering ourselves to be His instruments. So how do we help spread Christ's Kingdom?

We follow the method of Jesus. The Son of God came from heaven to earth and built bridges of friendship. He lived with Mary and Joseph. He called the Apostles His friends. He shared life with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. He walked with people, listened to them, loved them, and then invited them to follow Him.

God has placed a limited number of people in your life and entrusted them to your care. Take the initiative. Build authentic friendships. Share life together. Be interested in them. Listen to them. Have meaningful conversations. Then, when the Holy Spirit opens the door, invite them to encounter Jesus. The simplest way to begin is to pray together. And one of the most beautiful ways to do that is the Rosary. The Kingdom of God spreads one friendship, one family, and one conversion at a time.

Five

We Long for the Day the Kingdom Is Complete

The Kingdom of God has begun. It is growing. But it is not finished.

When we pray, "Thy Kingdom come," we are also praying that Jesus will come again in glory to establish His kingdom and His reign in such a way that all selfishness, all sin, all injustice and violence, all sickness, suffering and death will be definitively destroyed forever. When we pray, “Thy Kingdom come, we are paying, “Come, Lord Jesus. Come and wipe away every tear. Come and establish your reign forever in the new heavens and the new earth.”

This petition is a prayer of hope because we are asking for Christ to come in Glory and bring about His Kingdom that will never end. We are asking for Heaven. What teaching of Jesus and the Church do I not agree with or understand? And what steps will I take to learn? What individuals has God placed in my life that I have not taken the steps that I could to build a better relationship with, get to know, understand, love and care for them better. What action do I need to take with them?

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