(Mt 6,10)
Is the establishment of the Kingdom of God here on earth only a beautiful dream or a pious wish? Is it a promise yet to be fulfilled or a mere memory of a Paradise lost?
Jesus taught us to pray in this way, and this petition rises up from every corner of the world. It cannot, therefore, be a mere illusion, but a plea to God that His Kingdom, which already exists in heaven, may also be realised on earth.
The fulfilment of this petition depends on us, human beings, because the conditions are predetermined. But the Kingdom of God will be established first of all within the person through grace. When we accept God’s invitation, receive His love and live according to His commandments, the Kingdom of God begins to become a reality in us. Peace with God makes it possible to live in peace with others, at least insofar as this depends on us. This happens by grace, because by conforming ourselves to our Lord, we can become peacemakers.
It is not really that difficult. Certainly, here and there this Kingdom is already beginning to be seen among people. Wherever God is worshipped in spirit and in truth, the seed is sown. And yet…
In the Message to Mother Eugenia, our Father Himself asks: “Has my Kingdom come?
Again, we must honestly answer that this request has hardly been fulfilled, perhaps here and there….
No doubt, true peace will be part of the Kingdom of God. But this peace has not yet spread over the earth, although Scripture speaks of it: “He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, he burns the chariots with fire!” (Ps 46:9).