Reflections on Scripture | Thursday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Jonn 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

The main focus of the Ministry of Jesus was establishing the Kingdom of God. And I love when He says that this kingdom is among you. Meaning it is rooted in all of us, but it is something that engages all of us in the same work. It is not one person's work, but our work. So when we come to the place, when this Kingdom of God will be inaugurated, when we feel it and sense it, it will be like an enlightenment across the world that is beyond anything we've ever thought of.

So we are on a journey, we work together, and the goal is enlightenment.

Closing Prayer
Father, we cannot please you without also being engaged in a life giving relationship with one another. Help us to be freed ever putting you in our lives ahead of all those that you have given us to care for and to have compassion for. Keep our religion and our goal of spirituality to be communal, always. Not personal. Not just about us. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross