Heaven on Earth

Daily Gospel: Luke 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."

Reflection: Heaven On Earth

Have you ever wondered when the Kingdom of God will come? Many people throughout history have pondered this question. Jesus, however, offered a surprising answer: "The Kingdom of God is among you" (Luke 17:21). This profound truth challenges us to reimagine what it means to live a life of faith.

We may be tempted to look for grand signs or distant prophecies, but the Kingdom of God is not a future event. It's a present reality, a spiritual realm that breaks into our world. It's found in the quiet moments of prayer, the acts of service we perform, and the love we share with one another.

St. Therese of Lisieux, one of my favourite saints, beautifully captured this idea: "I will do my heaven by doing good on earth." She understood that heaven begins here and now, in the ordinary moments of our lives. When we choose to love our neighbour, forgive our enemies, and live with compassion, we are participating in the building of God's Kingdom.

Let us embrace this truth and live as citizens of heaven. Let us seek to love as Jesus loved, to serve as Jesus served, and to forgive as Jesus forgave. By doing so, we will not only experience the joy of the Kingdom of God in our own lives but also bring hope and healing to the world around us.

Remember, the Kingdom of God is not a distant dream; it's a present reality. Let us embrace it today and live as children of God.