Faith Daily | 11 November 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST

Blessed Lord,

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 hold 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: Contributed by: Alison Dorman

For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.

The Kingdom of God is among us, and also within us. We don’t need to go searching for it far and wide.

How have I/we recognised the kingdom of God around and within me lately?

The outpouring of love and thankfulness on the discovery of Cleo alive and well last week is something we can all relate to. Seeing the red Day for Daniel shirts in the schools reminds us of a very different outcome and the compassion that arises in us for that family. Reading a very empathic and passionate poem by my 12 year old grandson about the future of our World filled my heart with compassion (for him) and yet hope for the future.

The Spirit of God is within whether we are sometimes aware of it or not. It manifests itself in acts of love, justice, kindness, generosity and compassion. Becoming more aware of the Kingdom of God within may remind us to act on it not just to become aware of it.

Calling or visiting the person we know is suffering, as well as praying for them is love in action. Sacrificing our comfort to alleviate the suffering of others is love in action. As we listen to the dire reports from Glasgow about Mother Earth and what we are doing to our fellow Creatures, we can each act in our small way to alleviate the suffering of those who are affected most. This is the Kingdom of God within and around us.

Jesus demonstrated to his disciples (and hence to us) how to treat each other and the whole of creation. We only need to look to his example to see what he means when he says, ‘The Kingdom of God is among you.’ He always put the needs of the suffering and the poor in the centre of his ministry to demonstrate what the Kingdom of God means.

We all look forward with eager anticipation to the fullness of joy in the Kingdom of God in the world to come when we live in the close presence of the One who gives us hope in the darkness, which we sometimes feel surrounds us.

“Let us seek first the Kingdom of God and everything else will be added”.

FINAL PRAYER: from the Church of England for REMEMBRANCE DAY

For those who have died

Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day; fulfil in them the purpose of your love; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.