“The kingdom of God is within you.” (Lk 17:21)

“The kingdom of God is within you.” (Lk 17:21)

Today’s Passage: Lk 17:20-25

Meditation: “Some of the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. His answer was, ‘The Kingdom of God does not come in such a way as to be seen. No one will say, ‘Look here it is!’ or, ‘there it is!’; because the Kingdom of God is within you.’” (Lk 17:20, 21) Why does Jesus say that the Kingdom of God is within us? How can we attain this kingdom of God experience?

In the very beginning of his public ministry, we find Jesus proclaiming, “The kingdom of Heaven/God is near.” (Mt 4:17; Mk 1:15) He sends his disciples instructing, “The kingdom of God has come near you.” (Lk 10:9) However, now, no longer says he that the kingdom of God is near, but it is within us; you don’t search for it outside, and you don’t even heed to the rumors, “Look here it is!’ or, ‘there it is!” How interesting and amazing it is! The Kingdom of God experience is that which gives you an Emmanuel experience in our life. In order to have this experience, we have to be united to him; we should abide in him. How is it possible?

For this, of course, he puts before us some conditions to be fulfilled. He says, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I live in him.” (Jn 6:56) He continues, “Whoever loves me will obey my teaching. My father will love him, and my father and I will come to him and live with him.” (Jn 14:23)

In other words, we can have the experience of the kingdom of God through keeping his commandments and leading a meaningful daily sacramental life. This corresponds to the first commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Mt 22:37) Then, naturally follows the second commandment as to the practical life of the Christian spirituality, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Mt 22:39) Wish you all a fruitful Christian life! 

        

Prayer:  Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. Teach us, how to a fruitful Christian life and have a Kingdom of God experience. Lead us to the meaning of sacramental life and its practical applications in our life. Give us the courage to heed to the word of God with the help of the Holy Spirit, rather to the whispers of this world for your word is life and spirit. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!

                  

Greetings: God is with you! Have a nice and blissful Thursday…