Announcing the Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
Welcome to the Brotherhood of Ascension's exploration of the Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom. This mystery invites us to reflect on Jesus' mission to preach the Gospel, call for repentance, and offer the promise of the Kingdom of God. Understanding this mystery helps us to grow in faith and align our lives with the teachings of the Church.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Third Luminous Mystery focuses on Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God. As described in the Gospel, Jesus traveled through towns and villages, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness (Matthew 9:35). His message was one of repentance, faith, and the imminent arrival of God's Kingdom (Mark 1:15).
Understanding the Proclamation
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), the Kingdom of God is central to Jesus' teaching and mission. The Kingdom is understood not merely as a physical realm but as the realization of God's will on earth as it is in heaven. The catechism emphasizes that the Kingdom begins with Christ's work of redemption and continues in the life of the Church (CCC 541-542).
In proclaiming the Kingdom, Jesus invites us to a transformative relationship with God. The call to repentance (metanoia) is a call to a profound change of heart and mind, aligning our lives with God's will. This change is facilitated through the grace received in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, which is the "source and summit of the Christian life" (CCC 1324).
Growing in Faith
To grow according to the catechism, we are encouraged to:
Engage with Scripture: Regularly read and meditate on the Gospels to understand Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom. Key passages include Matthew 4:17, where Jesus begins his ministry with the call to repentance, and Matthew 5-7, where the Sermon on the Mount outlines the values of the Kingdom.
Participate in the Sacraments: Frequent reception of the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist, helps us to grow in grace and align our lives with the values of the Kingdom. The catechism highlights the importance of the sacraments in sustaining our spiritual journey (CCC 1210-1211).
Live the Beatitudes: The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) describe the attitudes and behaviors that characterize citizens of the Kingdom. Living these virtues brings us closer to the heart of Christ and the realization of God's Kingdom in our lives.
Serve Others: Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom was accompanied by acts of healing and service. We are called to serve others, particularly the poor and marginalized, as a tangible expression of God's love and justice (CCC 2443-2449).
Bible and Catechism References
Bible:
Matthew 4:17: "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"
Mark 1:15: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Matthew 9:35: "And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction."
Catechism of the Catholic Church:
CCC 541-542: The Kingdom of God is at hand.
CCC 1324: The Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life.
CCC 1210-1211: The sacraments of the Church.
CCC 2443-2449: The call to serve the poor and marginalized.
By embracing the teachings of Jesus and the guidance of the Church, we can grow in our faith and become true heralds of the Kingdom of God. Let us strive to live out this mystery in our daily lives, bringing the light of Christ to a world in need.