“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” The benefit of hearing the Scriptures together again and again is how new insights pop up. This year the interchange between Jesus and the scribe became clear to me in a new way. “Not far?” It’s because the Kingdom (reign) of God is not a place or territory, a destination where we could say, been there, done that and I have the t-shirt. We cannot “inherit” in the words of the rich youth. We need to be like Bartimeaus and follow Jesus on the way. Problems and difficulties and all, we continue with him as guide and model of love. Do review Leveticus 19. Notwithstanding the scribe, Moses did not command love of neighbor. The Hebrew and Greek is “countryman” “tribesman.” Jesus is the one who stretches the definition to neighbor. It changes everything. Thanks to our Knights for our German dinner in honor of Cristopher Columbus, an Italian who sailed for the Spanish Monarchy. I am very grateful for our Knights and their efforts to build and support our parish community. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Parish Market, November 23 and 24, 2024!