The Kingdom of God.

"'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to it!  How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!'"  Matthew 23:37 (NRSV)

This passage reflects the Will of God to gather all His children in a loving embrace.

But those in authority in His temples and churches are not willing.

They insist on judgement and punishment.

"with force and harshness you have ruled them."  Ezekiel 34:14 (NRSV)

Out of fear.

In fact God loves everyone.

His mercy and forgiveness prevail.

But humankind acts out of fear.

And we shut ourselves out of the Kingdom of God.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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