Thy Kingdom Come
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and
believe in the Gospel” (St. Mark 1:15).
In this petition we seek of God the coming of His kingdom, both in the
world and in ourselves. The theme of God’s kingdom and its coming was
central in the mission of Our Lord Jesus Christ: “I must proclaim the good
news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this
purpose” (St. Luke 4:43); “for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God”
(St. Luke 9:60).
By the kingdom of God we first understand it to mean the manifestation of
that power which God possesses to rule all men and all things. Our love for
God should compel us to pray that His reign may be manifest “awaiting our
blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus
Christ” (Tit. 1:13). In acknowledgment of His power, God should be
publicly worshipped by all peoples and in all places: “May all kings fall
down before him, all nations give him service” (Ps. 72 [71]:11).
Consequently, the laws, institutions and customs of every society should be
based on Christian principles, with Christ as king: “Of the increase of his
government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David,
and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with
righteousness from this time forth and for evermore” (Is. 9:7).
Yet, Our Lord declared before Pilate “my kingdom is not from this world”
(St. John 18:36). Nor is it a kingdom whose coming shall be visible to the
children of this world: “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be
observed; nor will they say, Lo, here it is! or There!” (St. Luke 17:20-21).
Instead, “the kingdom of God is ... righteousness and peace and joy in the
Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). Christ invisibly reigns in the souls of the just by
sanctifying grace: “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my
Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with
him” (St. John 14:23).
Without this interior kingdom of grace no one can enter into God’s
kingdom of glory: “no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous
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