Daily Readings - Thu Nov 16 2017
First Reading - Wisdom 7.22 – 8.1
Gospel - Luke 17.20-25
Luke
20And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:21Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.22And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.23And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.24For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.25But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of 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.