[Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom] Day 31 – The Starting Point of Building God’s Kingdom

During yesterday’s retreat, we mentioned that the world often defines “hope” as a desire for things that can be attained in this life — for example: success, health, or a comfortable life. As Christians, however, we look forward to the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life as our true happiness. The former is a fleeting kind of happiness, while the latter is eternal. But are these two in conflict? Can they coexist?

To explore this question, we must first understand the meaning of life from God’s perspective. As Christians, the three main purposes of our earthly life are to know God, to love God, and to serve God. The ultimate goal is to enjoy eternal happiness with Him in heaven.

First, to know God means to understand His nature and His plan for humanity. This is essential for us to live a meaningful life. Just like in human relationships, knowing someone is the foundation of building a relationship. Through knowing someone, we learn how to love them better. The same applies to our relationship with God. All relationships require mutual love, and since we know God loves us unconditionally and deeply, He desires that we love Him with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our will. This is the foundation of building an eternal and intimate mutual relationship. Finally, the natural expression of love is serving one another, and God asks us to serve Him by serving the least of our brothers and sisters. These three aspects form the meaning and foundation of our life.

God hopes that, through the journey of life, we can achieve two main goals. The first is personal sanctification, which comes not only through loving actions but also through prayer, the sacraments, and living a virtuous life.

The second is our responsibility to evangelize, to spread God's love and salvation. To achieve both personal holiness and the mission of evangelization, God calls each of us individually and grants us unique spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit, so we may participate in the work of the Mystical Body of Christ and fulfill God’s plan of salvation. On this level, all Christians are called to work together in building God’s Kingdom on earth, that is, to establish the Kingdom of God on earth by promoting justice, peace and love according to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. This means making heaven present on earth, because God longs for each one of us, whom He loves, to taste the truth, goodness, and beauty of Heaven, and to experience the sweetness of His presence with us here on earth. This is the happiness He desires for us humans to experience in our lives.

Therefore, this virtue of hope we cultivate not only encourages us to pursue eternal joy but also allows us to experience happiness and joy in our present lives. Earthly and eternal happiness can coexist, and the key lies in how we define true happiness. Building the Kingdom of Heaven during our earthly pilgrimage should be our lifelong mission!

Thus, finding hope in God’s Kingdom carries two important meanings: First, we must fulfill our responsibility to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Second, through our virtue of hope, we find in the Kingdom of God the source of hope, so that even amid trials, we have enough motivation to keep going.

When we embrace this mindset and determination to fulfill the mission God has entrusted to us, our earthly lives become complete, and we will one day enjoy eternal happiness with God in heaven!


Reflection

Have you taken knowing God, loving God, and serving God as the meaning and goal of your life on earth? How much of your time is devoted to these goals?

Are you consciously living out your responsibility to pursue holiness and actively evangelize? In which area is the Holy Spirit inviting you to grow stronger?

How well do you understand the concept of the Kingdom of God? Are you actively taking up your responsibility to build it here on earth?


Today’s Prayer

Merciful Abba Father, thank You for awakening me from my busy life today, and giving me the opportunity to re-examine the meaning and direction of my life. The burdens and worries of life have weighed me down, making it hard for me to see the road ahead and hard to see You… It leaves me feeling uncomfortable and not free.

Thank You for helping me focus again on life’s ultimate goal, and for helping me recognize that the most important thing in life is my relationship with You. Please help me be more determined and persevering in knowing You, loving You, and serving You.

Help me to seek Your holy will each day. May I build Your Kingdom on earth through building my relationship with You, serving the least of my brothers and sisters, and spreading the Good News.

Abba Father, please help me to sanctify myself through these, so that I can become more like You day by day. Help me to see Your presence and Your goodness even in the midst of hardship.