First reading Wisdom 7:22-8:1
Wisdom is a breath of the power of God
Within Wisdom is a spirit intelligent, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle,
active, incisive, unsullied,
lucid, invulnerable, benevolent, sharp,
irresistible, beneficent, loving to man,
steadfast, dependable, unperturbed,
almighty, all-surveying,
penetrating all intelligent, pure
and most subtle spirits;
for Wisdom is quicker to move than any motion;
she is so pure, she pervades and permeates all things.
She is a breath of the power of God,
pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;
hence nothing impure can find a way into her.
She is a reflection of the eternal light,
untarnished mirror of God’s active power,
image of his goodness.
Although alone, she can do all;
herself unchanging, she makes all things new.
In each generation she passes into holy souls,
she makes them friends of God and prophets;
for God loves only the man who lives with Wisdom.
She is indeed more splendid than the sun,
she outshines all the constellations;
compared with light, she takes first place,
for light must yield to night,
but over Wisdom evil can never triumph.
She deploys her strength from one end of the earth to the other,
ordering all things for good.
Responsorial Psalm 118(119):89-91,130,135,175
Your word, O Lord, stands for ever.
Your word, O Lord, for ever
stands firm in the heavens:
your truth lasts from age to age,
like the earth you created.
By your decree it endures to this day;
for all things serve you.
The unfolding of your word gives light
and teaches the simple.
Let your face shine on your servant
and teach me your decrees.
Give life to my soul that I may praise you.
Let your decrees give me help.
Gospel Luke 17:20-25
The kingdom of God is among you
Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, Jesus gave them this answer, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.’
He said to the disciples, ‘A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. But first he must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.’
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The kingdom of God is among you, with you, in you
When asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God is among you”. Here, He is referring to the kingdom of God, which is already present to some extent in and through His words and works. He challenged the religious leaders to have eyes of faith to see and rejoice. Today, He tells us, “The kingdom of God is among you. His presence is in your midst”. Do we have eyes to recognise His presence living in us and moving around us?
When we feel discouraged at how our lives are going or afraid of the many uncertainties ahead of us, let us find comfort in the reality that God is with us and will continue to work in and among us.
Reflective question:
How does the reality of God’s presence here with me change how I live today?
How does the reality of God’s presence here with me change how I live today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
