What To Seek As We Await The Lord

 

The kingdom is where we are.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Thursday of 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, November 15th, 2023
Texts: Wisdom 7:22-8:1; Psalm 119118:89-91,130,135,175; Luke 17:20-25

Today’s message is about what to seek as we await the Lord. There is likelihood that we look for what will not benefit or what we cannot see. Some of us may be looking for time of the coming of God’s kingdom, like the Pharisees in today’s gospel. The Lord answered them thus: “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Behold, here it is!' or 'There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."  

Are we looking for signs? We will not see it, for our Lord tells us the kingdom of God will not come with visible sign. Are we looking for time? It will elude us, for the kingdom is already in our midst. It is not something we look for, it is what we are. We await the kingdom and also we live it here and now. Wherever we are, God reigns there; He reigns over us as we do His will.  

The kingdom is where we are

He is a deceiver whoever says to us that the kingdom of God is here or there. Moses says, “So acknowledge today and take to heart that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath” (Deut. 4:39). The kingdom is where we are; it is you and in you; it is me and in me. Hence, Our Lord says, “And they will say to you, 'Behold, there!' or 'Behold, here!' Do not go, do not follow them.” Why do we run helter-skelter? Do we not believe in our Lord Jesus Christ? Know that His words are spirit and life. 

We see in today's first reading  what we are to seek. We are to seek wisdom. The wise says, “For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.” Where there is wisdom, God reigns. The wise says, “in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets; for God loves nothing so much as the man who lives with wisdom.” If we seek him, to find him we are to make ourselves pure and holy. The wise says, “therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.” 

Prayer 

God our Father, thank You for the gift of wisdom; grant that we may be pure and holy to welcome him into our lives. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke