Daily Readings - Thu Nov 16 2017
Luke
20Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,21nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."22Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.23Men will tell you, 'There he is!' or 'Here he is!' Do not go running off after them.24For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.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.