Forceful Entry into the Kingdom

11

Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ⁸

12

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, ⁹
and the violent are taking it by force.

13

All the prophets and the law ¹⁰ prophesied up to the time of John.

14

And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come.

15

Whoever has ears ought to hear.

 

When I read this scripture early this morning, I wondered what Jesus means that the violent are taking the kingdom by force. It is necessary to coerce our natural inclinations if we want to enter the kingdom of God. Sometimes, we need to use force on our will.

Fr. Thomas preaching a homily on the above text shared with us life in India where most people use public transportation. If they want to get to their job or destination on time, they must not only be at the bus stop on time but must struggle to get into the bus. So those who desire to get a seat on the bus and get to their destination must take it by force as it were. I was encouraged to see that we got the same light on the same text.