Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John Luke 17, 20-25
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.”
The Kingdom of God is among you
1. Ostensibly. When we think of the end of the world, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with fear, picturing dramatic events like erupting volcanoes, earthquakes, or dazzling flashes lighting up the sky. What image comes to mind for you when you imagine the end? We are often tempted to chase after complicated answers, even though God reveals Himself in simplicity. Let’s not make simple things complicated or seek showiness.
2. The coming of Christ. The end of the world marks the moment when Jesus will return. For Christians, this isn’t something to fear, but a reason for great joy—the chance to meet Jesus face-to-face. Encountering Him is the most wonderful experience we can have, so why be afraid? This is the hope we hold onto. Just like the earliest Christians, our hearts echo the prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus,” because with you, Jesus, life becomes lighter and more joyful.
3. Living today. We are called to seek Jesus today and bring the Kingdom of God into our daily lives. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta encouraged us to approach Mass as if it were our first, our last, and our only one—a message not just for priests, but for everyone present. I invite you to treat your day in the same way: let every moment with your family feel like the first, the only, and the last. Treat today like your championship game, giving everything you have. Each day, put forth your best effort. Leave behind distractions, because the Kingdom of God is here and now. Jesus is within you, with you, and for you.
Always remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
