Coming of God’s kingdom

11 November 2010

Today’s Readings: Phlm 7-20 / Lk 17:20-25

REFLECTION
A question was raised by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come. Jesus replied, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” The kingdom of God was already in their midst, in the presence of Jesus. His words, the miracles he performed and many other signs and prophecy in the bible that points to Jesus as the Messiah were manifestations that the kingdom of God was among them. The Pharisees cannot recognize the kingdom of God in their midst because of their hardness of heart to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Jesus also spoke of the definitive establishment of the kingdom of God at the end of time which no one shall know; this will be preceded by the great sufferings that Jesus would endure for our sake. Throughout ages people have been experiencing war, famines, strong earthquakes, hurricanes and many other natural and man made calamities and some read these events as signs that the end of the world is near but these are not yet the end. We need to be prepared for the second coming of Christ and while we await for this day we have to recognize that the kingdom of God is already in our midst, in the words and teachings of Jesus, in the Church, in the Eucharist, and with one another. Let us live the kingdom of God in the here and now by following Jesus in his words and deeds.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, you have shown us the way to your kingdom through your words and examples. Help us to recognize you in our midst and bring your love and goodness to every person we meet and in everything we do. May we become your instrument in bringing the kingdom of God here on earth. Amen.