Daily Readings - Thu Nov 16 2017
Luke
20Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed,21nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."22And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.23And they will say to you, 'Look, there!' or 'Look, here!' Do not go out or follow them.24For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.25But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the divine presence that dwells within us and the world around us. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom describes Wisdom as a divine spirit, holy, manifold, and all-pervasive. It emphasizes that Wisdom is not just an abstract concept but a living, active force that orders all things sweetly and reaches mightily from one end of creation to the other. Wisdom is the very breath of God’s virtue, the brightness of eternal light, and the image of his goodness. This passage reminds us that God’s wisdom is not distant or unapproachable but is intimately present in all things, guiding and renewing them.
The Gospel reading from Luke shifts our focus to the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells the Pharisees that the Kingdom does not arrive with observable signs or fanfare. It is not something we will find by looking “here” or “there.” Instead, the Kingdom of God is within us. This teaching challenges us to look inward, to recognize that God’s reign is already at work in our hearts and lives. Jesus also warns his disciples against being deceived by false claims about the Kingdom’s arrival. Just as lightning illuminates the entire sky, the Son of Man will manifest in his own time, but first, he must suffer and be rejected. This passage calls us to patience, faith, and trust in God’s timing, even in the face of suffering or uncertainty.
Together, these readings remind us that God’s presence and wisdom are not something we need to seek far off. They are already with us, within us, and at work in the world. The Book of Wisdom encourages us to embrace the divine wisdom that orders all things, while the Gospel invites us to recognize the Kingdom of God in our midst. As we go about our daily lives, let us seek to cultivate this inward awareness. May we trust in God’s presence, allowing his wisdom to guide us and his Kingdom to take root in our hearts. In doing so, we will find the peace and grace to live as faithful disciples, even in the midst of challenges and uncertainties.