The Kingdom of God

Scripture: Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, 'Lo, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." Luke 17:20-21

Reflection:  There are some things which need to be detachedly observed and analyzed and some, in which, one needs to enter into in order to reap the full benefit and enjoy its goodness.

While one can analyze a thorn apple (Datura Stramonium) and be aware of its poisonous properties and refuse to eat it on the other hand it would be sinfully bad if you have a rare sweet apple and only observe and analyze it and never taste it.

It is perfectly legitimate to enquire before entering into an experience of things so that we do not make the wrong choice of life and eat into poison.

In the Gospel the Pharisees ask Jesus about the Kingdom and its time of arrival and Jesus like the expert discerning farmer reveals to them that the kingdom is among them. It is not to be just observed like a sign. In other words Jesus was inviting them to taste it and experience it for themselves. 

Prayer:  Lord, Grant me the grace to be humble and taste richly of your kingdom.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Taste, See & Acknowledge

                                                                                          Fr. Conrad Saldanha

Scripture:"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. Luke 12:8-9

Reflection: “Too good man” said the person who had just tasted the pie at the friend’s party and thus acknowledged before men the goodness of the pie.

What if someone else had tasted it and told this man the goodness of the pie? Then, it is impossible for anyone to acknowledge before others, except for the one who tastes it. Yet, if we do it then we could be doing a deceptive act.

Similarly, when Jesus invites us to acknowledge him before men he is not calling us to do the deceptive act of learning about him in catechism and theology or through the Bible or someone else’s experiences and then acknowledge him. He rather invites us, may be even through our learning’s about him, to know him, taste him and then be spontaneous in acknowledging him and his saving action that one has first experienced in their life.   

Prayer: Help me Lord to respond to your invitation to taste you and your goodness and thus acknowledge you before all as my Lord and Master.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us