“When we figure out that, “I am not the king”, then THE KINGDOM has its best chance of breaking through.”

“Modern prophets say that our economics have failed us. No! It is not our economics which have failed; it is man who has failed-man who has forgotten God. Hence no manner of economic or political readjustment can possibly save our civilization; we can be saved only by a renovation of the inner man, only by a purging of our hearts and souls; for only by seeking first the Kingdom of God and His Justice will all these other things be added unto us.” ― Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, The Prodigal World

Gospel Text: (LK 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.”

Wait! Is he saying that the kingdom of God is already here? You might be saying to yourself this sure doesn’t feel like the kingdom of God! But the kingdom of God is not about a location it’s about a new way of relating to one another that brings about a change of heart the leads to true freedom.

This Kingdom that unpredictably will start “outside” may commence right now “inside” us. The last day starts its configuration right now, inside us. If we want to be allowed into the Kingdom in that last day, we must let the Kingdom get inside us, right now. If we want Jesus to be our merciful judge in that particular moment, we better make him right now our best friend and our inside guest.

Today, think about how you can bring the kingdom of God into just one relationship. Look for one opportunity to encourage someone, to forgive, or to be an instrument of God’s presence. It doesn’t have to be dramatic and life changing. It just has to be upbeat and life affirming.

Do you realize that you are part of a royal nation, a son and citizen of God’s kingdom, an ambassador for Christ? Because of that, you can bring His presence wherever you go. You can make a difference! But first we need to understand something that is essential; we can not give what we do not have. We have to humbly ask God for His grace and open our hearts to receive it before we give it to others. So today, simply ask and you will receive……………….Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.*(Rev 3:20)