Faith Daily | 10 November 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p

Blessed God,

you have caused all holy Scriptures to be written

for our learning:

grant that we may so hear them,

read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them,

that, by patience and the comfort of your holy word,

we may embrace and ever hold fast

the blessed hope of everlasting life,

which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 17: 20-25

20 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.’

22 Then he said to the disciples, ‘The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23They will say to you, “Look there!” or “Look here!” Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. 24For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Peta-Anne Warwick

It is so easy for us to be overwhelmed by the evil and terrible things that happen in this world. And there is the hope within us all that God will intervene to bring about a better world. But Jesus said “The Kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed … For, in fact, the Kingdom of God is among you”.

Jesus’ presence is all around us. His Kingdom is present every time someone acts out of love; where there is justice, no matter how small, there is God’s kingdom; and where there is beauty, there is God’s Kingdom also.

We often look at the extraordinary for reassurance that God is in our present situation. Yet God is more often found in the quiet, in quiet endurance, quiet kindness and goodness. Lord, let me be quiet and still so that I may find you here and now in the quiet. And when out in the world, help me be a good disciple so I am ready for the coming of the Son of Man.

FINAL PRAYER (https://frmartinshomiliesandreflections.tumblr.com)

Heavenly Father, sometimes Jesus' return can seem pretty remote to me.

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the struggles of the present.

Give me a healthy expectation and hope in Jesus' coming.

Help me to so orient my life that my values centres on being ready for his coming,

not just reacting to the stresses of my environment.

In Jesus' name, I pray.

Amen.