THE WORLD AS IT SHOULD BE > WEEK 4

A New Way of Seeing

The Kingdom is a way of imagining the world differently: not just as it is, but as it should be. We are called to see through Jesus' eyes. When confronted with two polarizing alternatives, Jesus always seemed to find a "third way" that surprised everyone. The Gospel stories of the feeding of the multitudes show a glimpse of this Kingdom alternative being put into practice.

Feeding the Multitudes

Stories of crowds being fed with multiplied loaves and fishes are so important that they appear in all four gospels, and twice in Mark and Matthew! Six times in four gospels. In fact, it is the only miracle story to appear in all four gospels. Why is this story so important?

Kingdom Values

These stories show the vision of the Kingdom being put into practice, on earth as it is in heaven. Here are some things we can learn about the kingdom. 

God's Kingdom solution:
  • ...uses people to perform a miracle. "Give them some food yourselves," Jesus says. He could have rained food down from heaven or just made it appear, but he chose to work through human-provided gifts. How does God want to use us?
  • ...is an unexpected "third way." Across the accounts, the disciples can only imagine sending the people home or buying food from the closest village. But, as is typical of Jesus and the Kingdom, the answer is an alternative beyond their imagination. When do we need to see in a new way, and see possibilities through Kingdom eyes?
  • ...is counter-cultural. The normal way of thinking was scarcity and everyone out for themselves. The Kingdom has sharing, common meals, and enough for everyone.
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La multiplicité des pains (The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes), James Tissot, 1886-1894
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One of the earliest Christian paintings, this image of the loaves and fish was made around the 3rd century.
Feeding of the 5,000:
Feeding of the 4,000:

Kingdom Imagination

One of the biggest barriers to moving into the Kingdom is a lack of imagination. We just become too stuck in our own way of thinking and doing things. We are too accustomed to society's values and way of seeing, and not enough to the Gospel's.

Catholic moral theologian Richard M. Gula, S.S. often speaks of the importance of imagination in Christian living:
What we decide to do is not as much motivated by our fundamental convictions and reasons as it is by our imagination. The imagination is the great instrument of moral good. (Moral Discernment, p.94)

New Possibilities

This does not mean being led by our feelings or being arbitrary. It mean being able to see things in a new way: being able to "get the picture." As Christians, we enter into a different worldview that transforms us from the inside out. Gula continues:
In addition to helping us see, the imagination also helps us move into the future and create our world. So much of moral instruction is aimed at getting others to behave differently by trying to convert their wills. We try to reason with them, to preach at them, badger, or shame them into selflessness. But what is really at stake is not that they are stupid, selfish, closed, or uncaring. They simply lack imagination. They assume that what they are doing now is the only way to respond to a situation. They can't act any differently because they can't imagine what it would be like to be someone else. (Moral Discernment, p.97)

Applying God's Dream

We often interpret what is happening around us based on images and metaphors. Images are powerful. How might we act differently based on these different perspectives?
  • What if we saw our doctor as a personal coach vs. a military commander fighting disease or the boss of our health?
  • How do we approach people with material poverty? Are they someone with a "disease" who need to be healed; someone who is lacking in things; or perhaps someone who has undeveloped gifts? Is our role to fix them, teach them, partner with them, or dump resources on them?
  • How might we see our church?  As a spiritual hospital; a campaign headquarters; an extended family gathering; an elite country club; or a graduate school?
You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom – 
   you know how it works.
But to those who can’t see it yet, 
   everything comes in stories, 
   creating readiness, 
   nudging them toward receptive insight.
These are the people –
“whose eyes are open but don’t see a thing, 
whose ears are open but don’t understand a word, 
who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven.”
Mark 4:11-12, The Message by Eugene Peterson
Faith does not merely gaze at Jesus, but sees things as Jesus himself sees them, with his own eyes: it is a participation in his way of seeing.... Christ’s life, his way of knowing the Father and living in complete and constant relationship with him, opens up new and inviting vistas for human experience.
Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei
Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.
-- Joel A. Barker

The Crazy Ones

Whatever you might think of Steve Jobs and Apple, this advertisement is a powerful tribute to those who saw the world differently and acted on that vision. Many considered them crazy. They certainly weren't considered normal. 

And for each of these people there were many, many others who changed the world in quieter ways by giving of themselves in unexpected ways.

Are we willing to be seen as "crazy ones" to live the Gospel message?

Kindling Our Imagination

So how do we start seeing as Jesus did? How do we kindle our Christian imagination?  Here are some ideas:
  • Start with Scripture. Commit to paying attention to the stories and images we are given in the Bible. Pray with them. Consider how they apply to us today.
  • Be skeptical of cultural images. Most of our ways of seeing and thinking are shaped by the society we live in and the images we see every day, whether they come from the entertainment industry, advertising, or politicians.
  • Look at the world with fellow Christians. We can't do this alone. Gather with others who share a desire to dream God's dream and live into that new vision. Talk about what could be and challenge each other to make it happen.
  • Open your mind to the Kingdom. Allow yourself to imagine your life and the world as it should be. If we can't imagine a different possibility, we won't be able to get there. This applies to everything from our personal health and family life to political issues.

Like a Child

Jesus said that unless we become like children, we can't enter the Kingdom (Matthew 18:2-4). Perhaps that's because children still have imagination and believe in endless possibilities. They believe the world can be bigger than what their eyes show them. They haven't become so cynical that they stop being hopeful -- that things really could be how they should be.

If you need an imagination pick-me-up, seek out some classic children's songs such as "Pure Imagination" or "Rainbow Connection."

Music For the Kingdom

Music is one good way to let the Good News enter our hearts. Throughout this series we are suggesting songs from a variety of genres for reflecting on the Kingdom. Take a listen and see what speaks to your tastes and heart.

What You Got

Christian singer-songwriter Billy Crocket sings this catchy acoustic guitar tune that reminds us of how God can transform our "not enough" into "more than enough" for the Kingdom.
Read all lyrics
Buy the CD on Amazon
Now what you've got it ain’t near enough 
To make the kingdom come; it can’t be done
And what you’ve got may not be enough 
To feed a hungry heart; you don’t make a start
But oh, remember the fish and the loaves; 
How love has a way of its own
So what you’ve got is more than enough 
When God gets a hold of what you’ve got

Behold Now the Kingdom

Longtime Catholic troubadour and monk John Michael Talbot wrote this classic musical reflection on the paradox of the Kingdom.
Read lyrics | Buy on iTunes | Buy on Amazon

Thy Kingdom Come

In this recording, Nicole C. Mullen offers her version of the Our Father with Gospel music stylings and backing vocals by Michael O'Brien.
Read lyrics 
Buy on iTunes | Buy on Amazon

Action Steps

Here are some ideas for how you can live out this message in your life this week.

Questions of the Week

What challenge or area of your life do I need to see in a new Kingdom-inspired way?

Developing Your Imagination

Review the points in the "Kindling Our Imagination" section above. What commitment can you make for developing your capacity for Kingdom imagination?

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Reviewing the Series

On this last week of this series, look back to any previous weeks you may have missed or want to review a second time.

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The World as It Should Be:
Living Authentically in the Here-and-Now Kingdom of God

  • Connects the concept of the Kingdom to daily life
  • 30 short, engaging essays on the Kingdom
  • Engaging questions at the end of each essay

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