"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. -Lk 17:21-23
Friends, God is good, all the time.
A clear understanding of God's kingdom should develop in the disciples of Jesus, the thirst for it. At least Jesus seems to suggest this in the gospel today. Like we automatically read labels on products to make sure they are consumable, the only way to enjoy the kingdom of God is to know what it is.
When Jesus was asked about when the kingdom of God would come, his answer came as a surprise to the Pharisees. To them, God's kingdom is this extraordinary and majestic presence of God to be experienced in the future. Monumental appearances must characterize it. Therefore, as the leaders preparing the people for the arrival of the kingdom, they and the scribes dressed in long and gorgeous robes to catch people's attention and set themselves apart from them.
To the disciple, Jesus says the kingdom of God is in our midst. Sounds simple, right? As one Bible commentary puts it: It is an internal, spiritual kingdom; erected in the hearts of men, consisting in the subjection of their wills to the will of God, and in the conformity of their minds to his laws. Wherever it exists, it exists in men's hearts.
If we understand that the kingdom is in the hearts, we should live it inside out. Jesus' presence was the sign that the kingdom was here, and we see how he lived with others, loving all, and hating no one. He didn’t appreciate the ways of the Pharisees and the scribes, but he loved them the same way he loved both sinners and good people like Mary and Joseph and ate with them.
Having the kingdom in our hearts enables us to enjoy God's peace and solace, and we do well to extend the experience to others so that the full breadth and depth of God's kingdom come to all.
Imagine how wonderful the world will be if the voice of each life in the womb or on earth touched our ears in these words of Paul, “Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
Prayer blessings: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.