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Deacon Michael Bickerstaff: What Does Living for the Kingdom Look Like? – Brown Pelican Society of Lousiana

Deacon Michael Bickerstaff: What Does Living for the Kingdom Look Like?

Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations: The Holy Spirit Will Teach You What to Say

October 18, 2025

Image credit: “Lazarus and the Rich Man” (detail) Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

By Deacon Michael Bickerstaff, Integrated Catholic Life, Sept. 28, 2025

Deacon Michael Bickerstaff is the Editor in chief and co-founder of the The Integrated Catholic Life.™ and the President of Virtue@Work. A Catholic Deacon of the Roman Rite for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Deacon Bickerstaff is assigned to St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church. NB: The views I express on this site are my own. I am not an official spokesman for either my parish or diocese.

“Jesus taught that we are to seek God’s will, to strive for holiness through humble service to others. That is how we glorify God and build the Kingdom.”

THE COMPLACENCY OF THE COMFORTABLE

The wealthier and more comfortable we become, the more we seem to forget the outward-focused life God has called us to live. The two great commandments – love your God and love your neighbor – become lost in a life that is turned in on itself.

Many of you would agree that one of the great errors and sins of our time is self-absorption. It would appear from our readings that the same was true in Israel during the life of Christ and also eight centuries earlier when Amos preached and wrote God’s prophetic message.

Today’s readings at Mass are a severe warning to those of us who are well-to-do and comfortable, and a reminder of our call to live a life of holiness and righteousness. ..

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Deacon Michael Bickerstaff: What Does Living for the Kingdom Look Like?

Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations: The Holy Spirit Will Teach You What to Say

By Deacon Michael Bickerstaff, Integrated Catholic Life, Sept. 28, 2025

“Jesus taught that we are to seek God’s will, to strive for holiness through humble service to others. That is how we glorify God and build the Kingdom.”

THE COMPLACENCY OF THE COMFORTABLE

The wealthier and more comfortable we become, the more we seem to forget the outward-focused life God has called us to live. The two great commandments – love your God and love your neighbor – become lost in a life that is turned in on itself.

Many of you would agree that one of the great errors and sins of our time is self-absorption. It would appear from our readings that the same was true in Israel during the life of Christ and also eight centuries earlier when Amos preached and wrote God’s prophetic message.

Today’s readings at Mass are a severe warning to those of us who are well-to-do and comfortable, and a reminder of our call to live a life of holiness and righteousness. ..

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