Daily Readings - Thu Nov 14 2019
Wisdom
22For in her is the spirit of understanding: holy, singular, manifold, subtle, perceptive, lively, chaste, reliable, gracious, loving, good, astute, who forbids nothing beneficial23humane, kind, steadfast, trustworthy, secure, having all virtue, watching for all things and grasping all things with a pure and most delicate understanding of spirit24For wisdom is more active than all active things, yet she reaches everywhere because of her purity25For she is a breath of the virtue of God and a genuine emanation from the purity of the almighty God, and therefore nothing unclean can invade her26Indeed, she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of the majesty of God, and the image of his goodness27And though she is one, she can do all things; and, unchanging in herself, she renews all things, and throughout the nations she conveys herself to holy souls, establishing them as friends and prophets of God28For God loves none but those who dwell with wisdom29For she is more spectacular than the sun, and above the array of all the stars; compared with the light, she is found to be before it30Indeed, after her comes night, but wisdom will not be overcome by malice
Luke
20Then he was questioned by the Pharisees: "When does the kingdom of God arrive?" And in response, he said to them: "The kingdom of God arrives unobserved21And so, they will not say, ‘Behold, it is here,’ or ‘Behold, it is there.’ For behold, the kingdom of God is within you.22And he said to his disciples: "The time will come when you will desire to see one day of the Son of man, and you will not see it23And they will say to you, ‘Behold, he is here,’ and ‘Behold, he is there.’ Do not choose to go out, and do not follow them24For just as lightning flashes from under heaven and shines to whatever is under heaven, so also will the Son of man be in his day25But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on the nature of God’s presence and wisdom. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom describes wisdom as a divine, all-encompassing spirit that permeates creation. It is holy, pure, and ever-active, reaching into all things while remaining unchanged. Wisdom is portrayed as the very breath of God, the brightness of eternal light, and the mirror of God’s majesty. This passage invites us to contemplate the beauty and generosity of God’s wisdom, which is not only a gift but also a call to live in harmony with it.
The Gospel reading from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God. When asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom would arrive, Jesus responds that it does not come with observable signs or in a particular location. Instead, he declares, “The Kingdom of God is within you.” This statement challenges us to look inward, to recognize that God’s reign is already present in our hearts and lives. Jesus also warns against chasing after false appearances of the Kingdom, urging his disciples to remain steadfast and not be deceived. He compares the coming of the Son of Man to lightning, which illuminates the entire sky—unexpected and all-encompassing. Yet, before that day, Jesus must suffer and be rejected, reminding us that the path to glory often passes through the cross.
Together, these readings invite us to embrace a deeper understanding of God’s presence in our lives. The Book of Wisdom calls us to seek and cherish the divine wisdom that orders all things, while the Gospel challenges us to recognize the Kingdom of God already at work within us. In a world often distracted by external signs and fleeting promises, these readings remind us to cultivate interior conversion and to live with eyes open to the subtle yet profound ways God is at work. Let us ask for the grace to dwell in wisdom and to trust in the quiet, transformative power of God’s Kingdom within us.