16 November, 2023 | Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

 Gospel Lk 17:20-25

See how to allow the  kingdom of God  to come 

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,

Jesus said in reply,

"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."

Then he said to his disciples,

"The days will come when you will long to see

one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.

There will be those who will say to you,

'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'

Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.

For just as lightning flashes

and lights up the sky from one side to the other,

so will the Son of Man be in his day.

But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."

Reflections:

Jesus highlights that the kingdom of God is among the people. This indicates that it's not an external, earthly kingdom, but a spiritual and transformative presence that can be realized in one's heart and actions. It serves as a reminder of the need for patience, faith, and perseverance, even in the face of suffering and uncertainty as the kingdom of God often involves hardship and sacrifice. The passage also talks about the importance of a deeper, spiritual awareness. We his followers need to cultivate an inner awareness of the kingdom of God and to avoid being misled by external appearances. 

Activity: 

Consider suffering is part of life’s journey. Be prepared to endure trials and tribulations with faith and perseverance in daily life.