The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity AD 2024

What does it mean to “seek first the kingdom of God”? God’s kingdom is not like earthly countries. It is not bound by place or time, it is not founded on either democratically elected or appointed institutions, it does not need to establish itself either by military force or diplomacy. God's kingdom does have borders, but they are not defined geographically, they run through human hearts.

It's almost like the old joke: "Which countries does Russia border with?" – “Whichever she wants!” The difference is that the kingdom of God does not impose itself on anyone, it must be sought, even demanded. Seeking God’s kingdom means being willing to give yourself over to God, entrusting yourself to His will. Seeking the kingdom of God means that nothing is more important to us than God, and we are ready to give up everything for Him.

For example, like St. Eupsychius, who was cast into prison under the Emperor Hadrian on the charge of being a Christian. Being shortly liberated therefrom, he forthwith sold his inheritance, and distributed the price thereof partly unto the poor, and partly unto his accusers, as unto benefactors. This holy martyr embraced persecution as God’s grace and blessing and was grateful to his accusers because they had opened for him the opportunity to “seek first the kingdom of God”, renouncing everything else and surrendering himself completely to God.

God does not put the same cross on everyone, but we must all have the will to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness. First, we must be willing to renounce everything that is false and evil. But we must also give up placing our hope in anything that does not bring us closer to our eternal purpose. The only place we can find God’s kingdom is in our own hearts – if we have opened them to Him who is our true treasure.