For some reason, I got stuck on the Kingdom of God in the Gospel today. Jesus says that tax collectors and prostitutes “are entering the kingdom of God before you.”

I think sometimes I forget that the Kingdom of God isn’t just something I am waiting for when I die. Yes, I hope to spend eternity with God, but His Kingdom is also here now. Christ is King now. I can live in His Kingdom today.

And the readings seem to be telling me something about what that actually looks like.

In the first reading, the people complain, “The Lord’s way is not fair!” I can understand that. Sometimes God’s way doesn’t make sense to me. Sometimes what He asks is different from what I want or different from what the world around me says makes sense.

Then the Psalm says, “He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way.”

Maybe that is part of the answer. If I am going to learn God’s ways, I first have to be humble enough to admit that my way may not be His way.

Then Paul takes it even further: “Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.”

That is a pretty good test for me because it gets very practical, very quickly. Am I really paying attention to the person in front of me? Am I curious about them? Am I listening? Or am I thinking about myself, what I need to do next, or everything else running through my head?

I know I struggle with that.

And then Jesus tells the story of the two sons. One says no to his father, but later changes his mind and does what his father asked. The other says yes, but never does it.

Jesus asks, “Which of the two did his father’s will?”

The answer is obvious.

Words are cheap. Actions speak.

I can say that Christ is my King. I can say that I want to follow Him. I can say that I want to put others before myself. But at some point, I actually have to do it.

And I think that is where the Kingdom of God became real for me this morning.

Living in His Kingdom will sometimes mean going against the current. The world can tell me I need to stay busy, accomplish more, worry about what comes next, or put myself first. But maybe God is asking something completely different.

Today, for me, I think He may simply be asking me to rest. Go to Mass. Be present. Spend time with the people He has put in front of me.

That doesn’t sound like much. But if that is what the Father is asking of me, then Jesus’ question matters: Which son actually did his father’s will?

Maybe entering more deeply into the Kingdom today is that simple.

Humble myself.

Let Him teach me His ways.

Regard others as more important than myself.

And then actually do what He asks.

So my prayer today is, Lord, help me remember who I belong to. Teach me Your ways, especially when they are different from mine. Give me the humility to listen and the perseverance to actually do what You ask. Help me live in Your Kingdom today.

Where is God asking you to stop just saying yes and actually do His will today?

I pray you get the graces you need today.

Keep up the good fight.

I’m praying for you. Please pray for me.

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:25-28 | Psalm 25 | Philippians 2:1-11 | Matthew 21:28-32