The Kingdom of God has Come Near

Jesus’ call for repentance urged the Galileans, and us, to examine our lives through the periscope of our darkness due to sin, and the new possibilities of being set right by God’s light.

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on January 20, 2023

The Kingdom of God Has Come Near


The light of Christ shone through her. She was particularly adept at injecting the word of God into most conversations. She was a true prayer warrior. Once in a dark moment of my life, I shared my pain with her. She invited herself to my home and prayed powerfully with me. I was so touched, I felt compelled to start reading the Bible, and conversing with God. Soon I was back in Church with an insatiable appetite for the word of God. The spiritual light of my friend, now deceased, pierced through my darkness and empowered me to return to the faith in which I was raised. Who was that light in your life that led you closer to Christ?

This Sunday’s gospel (Matthew 4:12-23) begins with the arrest of Jesus’ forerunner, John the Baptist. John’s arrest must have been a pivotal moment in Jesus’ life. He discerned that He, like John, would be persecuted, so the time had come for Him to courageously pursue His earthly mission of shining God’s light.

Instead of beginning His ministry in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish faith, Jesus went to the northern region, “Galilee of the Gentiles” a place considered a land of darkness in Jesus’ days because of the number of non-Jews living there. In this “place of darkness” the light of His good news would shine brightly, symbolic of God’s desire to move us from the darkness of sin to His light of love. Jesus therefore began His ministry by proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Jesus’ call for repentance urged the Galileans, and us, to examine our lives through the periscope of our darkness due to sin, and the new possibilities of being set right by God’s light. Looking backwards, we admit that sin distorted our lives. We misplaced our passions onto the things of the world instead of God. We often failed to live the virtues of kindness, goodness and love. But God offers us forgiveness when we contritely confess our sins. Repentance involves a resolve to submit to God’s ways, turning from the world’s darkness and following the light of Christ. The kingdom has come near through the person of Jesus Christ who embodies the radiance of God’s very being. Where there is the light of love, peace, mercy, justice and goodness, there is God’s kingdom.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom is followed by the call of Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. They followed Jesus, because the voice of God in Christ compelled them to submit to the deeper, more fulfilling life of “fishing for people”. Jesus, the divine One called disciples, imperfect humans, to join Him, to be one with Him, in the mission of bearing God’s light to the darkened world! And God’s kingdom reign of light continues to expand on earth, first through Christ’s call and the Holy Spirit working in the disciples and consequently the Church. Because of God’s mighty work through Christ, we see glimmers of a future when God’s kingdom will attain its fullness, and the entire “earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God”!

Whom have you led to Christ by your light?

Prayer: O Christ of perfect love, we thank you for coming to earth to shed the light of God into the darkness of the world. Thank you for your disciples and all believers who radiate your light. May we shine your light before others through your power and love. Amen.

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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