The Reign Mentality

WORD 2day: Wednesday, 27th week in Ordinary time

October 9, 2024 - Galatians 2: 1-2, 7-14; Luke 11:1-4

We continue to hear from Paul the beginnings of his ministry in the Church. Both his account and Jesus' teaching in the Gospel speak to us of a set of qualities that can be called a Reign mentality. Let's highlight just a three of them:

Personal integrity that gives Paul an extraordinary power when he presents his case to the people or to the apostles. Unless I am an integral person, I cannot speak of the Reign, leave alone speak with authority.

Fearlessness that comes from the absolute dedication that a person has. Nothing matters more than the Reign and hence there is nothing that can stop me from holding on to it, not even a threat to my life.

Forgiving Confrontations which help one to avoid self righteousness and compromise at the same time. At times our very idea of standing for truth and siding with the right, though an absolute reign-requirement, can drive people far from us. I need mercy not sacrifice, says the Lord. 

In short, the Reign Mentality is a just and healthy realisation of the other - be it the Ultimate Other or the immediate others... coming out of myself and letting in the other. May we grow every day, in our identity that arises from a true reign mentality.