The Kingdom of God is

This week’s reading (Luke 12: 32 -40) needs to be read from verse 13. It is hard to separate what Luke is saying into these discrete little bits. We can lose the flavour. What we read this week comes after Jesus has talked about the parable we heard last week. He finishes with “There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.” (vs32. New Jerusalem Bible). This is slightly different from the NRSV which says the father will give the Kingdom. (The verb in the Greek is in the past tense though.)
Do not be anxious! We have already been given the kingdom. Great news! But I wonder what that might mean. How we understand “the kingdom” is pretty important. It shapes what we do with our lives, where we place our priorities, how we treat other people and how we read scripture. If you were asked today what the kingdom of God is what would you say?
Luke has Jesus warns us to beware – there is a difference between our words and our actions. Our words might say one thing but our priorities might show something completely different.
So what is the kingdom for you? Where do you place your treasure? What brings you joy?

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