While I am content to live in a time with indoor plumbing, cell phones, and other modern conveniences, I still think it would have been incredible to have been one of Jesus’ first followers. It would have been a very hard life, but also one of unique purpose and beauty. As the early Church grew, the Holy Spirit guided the disciples to continue uncovering truths about Jesus. This teaching of Jesus must have been confusing when He shared it. Wouldn’t it have been so exciting to see the lightbulb moment when they came to understand His words?
“For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” What is the Kingdom of God? It can be explained both as a place and as a person. As a place, it is where God reigns. Where does God reign? Everywhere! God is the Author and Creator of everything, of you and of me. Where we are, the Kingdom of God is because we are living under His authority. The Kingdom of God is also present in Jesus, who is God. Where Jesus is, there God is.
Where is Jesus? Jesus is present in the Eucharist. He is also present in each of us. As followers of Jesus, we believe He dwells within each of our hearts. In this very moment, you are living in the Kingdom of God because Jesus is within you. When we gather together to share Eucharist, Jesus is among us.
What a mystery this must have been for those early disciples. Slowly, they would have come to understand as they continued to encounter Jesus, then to encounter Him anew after the Resurrection. Once Jesus ascended and they received the Holy Spirit, their understanding of Jesus’ teachings deepened under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus hasn’t left us. The Kingdom of God isn’t something to look out for, to grasp for, or to sit in the corner waiting for. The Kingdom of God is at hand, at this very moment. We are living, active participants in it. The more we live in a manner which reflects Jesus in our hearts, the more clearly we will see the Kingdom of God all around us.
Daily Reading
Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 PHMN 7-20 Beloved: I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother. Therefore, although…
Saint of the Day
Saint Lawrence O’Toole
Saint Lawrence O’Toole, born 1125, became Archbishop of Dublin in 1161, diplomat to England, died 1180.
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