Readings:
Wisdom 7: 22 – 8:1
Luke 17: 20-25
Reflection:
“The Kingdom of God is among you.”
These words spoken by Jesus’ gift so much life, there is no waiting endlessly for the kingdom of God to arrive or looking for cosmic signs of its arrival! It is here and now!
In recent weeks we have had many events of hard and heavy conversations on different topics from war, political unrest, racism, judgment, climate issues, and the list goes on.
Today’s readings remind us about how Jesus lived and how we’re called to live as He did. At every turn, Jesus stood up for the poor, the outcast, the oppressed and the marginalized. He did it with love, grace and boldness. He used truth to challenge every status quo and to change the current narrative.
Recently I was sitting around the table at our homeless mission, we were of different ethnicities, ages, religions, and walks of life. Most of us were familiar with each other smiling, daily greeting yet this had been the first assembled together to simply share a meal. As we broke bread, shared in the act of communion and slowly we had life conversations! Covering different topics, opinions voiced, and perspectives challenged.
This experience reminded me of the early Church recalled in the book of Acts. They prayed, worshiped, broke bread, and I’m sure had all manner of conversations. I imagine there were opposing perspectives on life issues and interpretations of Scripture, and religious practice, those with questions and those with answers. There were probably agreement and empathy and even apologies over hurt feelings from those who sat at the table.
This is the Kingdom, here and now! This moment is what Jesus speaks of, as a baptized Christian believing it is within us! Whenever we see goodness, kindness, justice, unity, and love in action – this is the Kingdom. May today you take a moment to look around you, witness, believe, and dwell in the kingdom here and now!
Sr Karen Englebretsen CP, Cross and Passion Sisters. blessed to be a spiritual care worker in the homeless sector in Melbourne.