The True Signs of God’s kingdom (Thursday, Week 32, Year 2, St Josaphat)

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The letter to Philemon is one of the imprisonment letters of Paul, written while he was in chains in Rome. Philemon, the recipient of that letter, was a prosperous young man who was converted to Christianity by Paul. Philemon had a slave called Onesimus who must have gravely offended his master (Philemon) and ran away to Rome as a fugitive where he met Paul who gave him (Onesimus) refuge and converted him to Christianity. Eventually, Paul encouraged Onesimus to return to his master, Philemon. According to some extra-biblical information, Onesimus must have feared going back to his master because he was guilty not only of flight but also theft. He envisioned a severe punishment (which could even be death) from his master if he returned. To protect him from such punishment, Paul wrote a letter to Philemon to be carried by Onesimus. This is the letter we read today (cf. Philemon, verses 7-20).

Later, tradition has it that Philemon received Onesimus without punishing him; and Onesimus regained his full freedom even to the point of becoming a bishop of Ephesus. There are two things we must learn: one, from Onesimus; and second, from Philemon. Considering what it means to be a slave in the ancient world and the consequences of running away from a master, Onesimus must have expected death from his master. But he was very certain of being forgiven by his master that he became much more determined to go back to him, not going elsewhere in the course of his journey back to the master. He was resilient in his conversion journey, his journey of “return” to his master from whom he would obtain fullness of freedom, forgiveness and mercy. We should also learn from Philemon who despite all wrongs done to him, despite the gravity of the offense done to him, considered it very necessary to forgive and free his former slave.

We have heard a lot about the Kingdom; and Jesus is still talking about the kingdom in the gospel reading (cf. Luke 17:20-25) we read today. What is this kingdom? In Rom 14:17, St Paul says that the kingdom is not a matter of food and drink, but love, righteousness and joy in the Holy Spirit. Wherever there is love, the Kingdom of God has already begun to take form. Wherever there is justice, the kingdom of God has already begun to take shape. Wherever there is mercy and forgiveness, the kingdom of God has already begun to take form. When we reflect on the life and teachings of Jesus; we will discover that everything about Him reflects the Kingdom of God. And that is why Christ told the Pharisees in the gospel reading of today that “that Kingdom of God which everybody is so eagerly waiting for is already in their midst in the person of the Son of man (in his own person).” We cannot receive Christ without having in us the seeds of God’s kingdom. Philemon received Christ, and these seeds were planted in his heart and mind: the seed of forgiveness and love. Philemon already knew what was expected of him as one who had received the seeds of God’s Kingdom; and that was why he willingly forgave his former slave and treated him with so much love.

What signs can we show as proofs that we have received Christ’s message of the Kingdom and have been converted by it? Unforgiveness is not a sign that we have been converted by the message of the Kingdom where forgiveness and love reign. Slavery/bondage to our passions is not a sign that we have been converted by the message of God’s kingdom which is a place of freedom. If we have embraced Jesus whole and entire, our lives should make a difference in this worldly kingdom of sin. Think of how this world will be like when all of us begin to practise the entire message of Jesus in the gospel! Certainly, that kingdom which we have so much desired will be here with us.   




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