(The Nationalist, 31 January 2004)
On one occasion, Jesus was asked, ‘Are you the one we have been waiting for, or should we look for another?’ The question referred to the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, that the Jews had been waiting for. Jesus answered by saying, in effect, ‘My actions give you the answer you’re looking for. I’ve been doing what the Messiah is supposed to do, so draw your own conclusions.’ (Anyone could claim to be the Messiah; but only the Messiah could do the work of the Messiah.)
He went on to explain that the signs of the presence of God’s kingdom included helping the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, etc.
Today, people of all kinds help those situations in various ways, such as:
- mothers who do the basic and indispensable work of caring for children;
- teachers who give children their first start on the ladder of life;
- nurses who care for the sick on the basis of need;
- trade unionists who try to see that people have a living wage;
- politicians who work for a just and inclusive society;
- farmers who produce food for a hungry world;
- journalists who take risks to tell truths that others wish to suppress;
- business people who create employment;
- in short, anyone who works for the good of society.
To do such things is to work for the Kingdom of God, that is, for the rule, or presence of God on earth. There are many atheists and agnostics who do so also, without any recognition on their part that they are serving God. But if you do what is right by people, then, by God, you’re not far wrong. Where a person recognizes and respects the humanity of another, that person recognizes God.
The discharge of the above responsibilities is no less important than fulfilling our religious duties, and indeed is part of them. The Kingdom of God is wider than the Church.