“No one will say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’; because behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” – Luke 17:21

         To finish my masteral degree, I made an experimental study where my primary specimens were albino rats. I had to go down to Manila from Baguio every weekend just to buy them since pet stores in our city occasionally sell this.

       Then, my thesis adviser suggested that I breed these animals at home instead. At first, it was a challenge but eventually, I was able to produce more rats for my research. This saved me both money and time until I completed my study.

       Just like the Kingdom of God, I believe that we don’t have to frequent Rome or Jerusalem to feel the true spirit of Christianity. We don’t always have to do great things for God to assure ourselves that we will be saved. I believe we can “breed” the eternal happiness and peace of the Kingdom of God within our ordinary lives because we are temples of His Holy Spirit. Our service for the Lord can start in our homes. This we can do by making things “straight” in our personal lives and becoming “little lights” to our loved ones and friends as we practice the values Christ taught us. And as long as we have the faith to believe in and trust the Lord always, we can always sit beside God’s eternal throne. Dho Rimando (dougsterrimando@yahoo. com.ph)

Reflection: Do you want to become a missionary for God? Start your mission within yourself.

Lord, You search much deeper within, through the way things appear. You’re looking into my heart…

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin, pray for us.

Paul is not averse to using a little emotional blackmail to serve his purpose. It is much better if we can convince people to do what we want them to do without it. However, sometimes we are left with little choice when people unreasonably refuse to do their part in a particular project. Let us pray that we will always do our part in spreading the Good News.

7 Beloved: I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother. 8 Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus. 10 I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, 11 who was once useless to you but is now useful to both you and me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13 I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the Gospel, 14 but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary. 15 Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord. 17 So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me. 18 And if he has done you any injustice or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will pay. May I not tell you that you owe me your very self. 20 Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

R: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

7 The Lord secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. (R) 8 The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord raises up those that were bowed down; the Lord loves the just. 9 The Lord protects strangers. (R) The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. 10 The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia. (R)

I love the idea that the “Kingdom of God” is among us. This conjures up within me the vision of the glories and splendor of heaven descending on earth for us to enjoy. I also believe that this is what God wants but He is not able to act on this desire because we lack the expectation that He wants the best for us at all times. Faith is not just positive thinking. When it comes to God, there is no reason to be negative in our expectations of His desires for us.

I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord: whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.

20 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, 21 and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” 22 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. 23 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. 24 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. 25 But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”

think:  When it comes to God, there is no reason to be negative in our expectations of His desires for us.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Jeremiah 15-18

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WHEN GOD REIGNS

Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God. We tend to think of it as a place somewhere out there, but in reality, it is more a state or condition. Two important characteristics may be derived from the Gospel about what the Kingdom of God is not. It is neither here nor there and nobody can point to it. It comes when it comes and is very unpredictable. Thus, Jesus warns, if anybody claims where it is and when it will come, that someone is a liar.

       The Kingdom of God, more than place and time, is where God exists. Jesus made this clear when He challenged His listeners who doubt Him and tend to relate Him with the demon, Beelzebul, by saying, “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God is upon you!” (Luke 11:20). They claim that Jesus ruled over demons because He was one of them. But Jesus proved otherwise. He brought with Him God’s reign. In Him, the Kingdom of God had broken through the world. People who had seen and heard Jesus testified to this. Jesus’ words penetrated their hearts. Jesus’ miracles stunned them. The Kingdom of God brought about by Jesus’ presence was overwhelming.

       The reign of God continues to this day. Have you experienced God’s reign in Jesus? This presumes a relationship with Jesus, hearing His words and appreciating His miracles. It includes an experience of His love, mercy, protection and care. Jesus bears the reign of God in His person. When we relate to Him, such as in the sacrament of penance, we encounter the Kingdom of God. Through the priest, we experience God’s saving action in forgiveness. In all the sacraments, divine grace is present and God reigns.

       We are children of the Kingdom. We belong to God’s family. We have the responsibility to witness to that Kingdom. When we forgive, when we love, when we share, when we do all that Jesus commanded, we experience and share the Kingdom to others. Yes, the Kingdom is neither here nor there; it is in us whenever we live our faith. For when we live our faith, we testify that God rules here and there, now and forever! Fr. Benny Tuazon

REFLECTION QUESTION: Does the Kingdom of God reign in you?

Lord Jesus, may I always open myself to Your presence and to Your action in my life so that You may reign in me.