Jesus tells the Pharisees that the kingdom of God is among them.

The kingdom of God is a kingdom of justice and peace,

We proclaim the kingdom when we show mercy to our brothers and sisters in need.

Lord, may your kingdom come.

  

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Philemon 7-20

I had great satisfaction

And comfort on hearing of your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been cheered by you, brother.

Because of this, although in Christ I have the freedom to command what you should do, yet I prefer to request you, in love. The one talking is Paul, the old man, now prisoner for Christ. And my request is on behalf of Onesimus, whose father I have become while I was in prison.

 

This Onesimus has not been helpful to you, but now he will be helpful, both to you and to me. In returning him to you, I am sending you my own heart. I would have liked to keep him at my side, to serve me, on your behalf, while I am in prison for the gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your agreement, nor impose a good deed upon you without your free consent.

 

Perhaps Onesimus has been parted from you for a while so that you may have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but better than a slave. For he is a very dear brother to me, and he will be even dearer to you. And so, because of our friendship, receive him as if he were I myself.

 

And if he has caused any harm, or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, write this and sign it with my own hand: I will pay it... without further mention of your debt to me, which is you yourself. So, my brother, please do me this favor, for the Lord's sake. Give me this comfort in Christ.

 

Ps 146:7, 8-9a, 9bc-10 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Luke 17:20-25

The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was to come. He answered, "The kingdom of God is not like something you can observe, and say of it, 'Look, here it is!' or 'See, there it is!' for the kingdom of God is within you." And Jesus said to his disciples, "The time is at hand, when you will long to see one of the glorious days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.

 

Then people will tell you, 'Look there! Look here!' Do not go with them, do not follow them. As lightning flashes from one end of the sky to the other, so will it be with the Son of Man; but first he must suffer many things, and be rejected by this generation.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Reflection:

"Serenity of our hearts."

We always encounter God. Sometimes we encounter him in great things. But often, we encounter him in the quietness of our hearts. When we experience him in tranquility, we can be at peace with ourselves. It is only then when we can have the serenity of heart and become true instruments of peace, without being agitated and without the tendency to agitate others toward violence.

 

The kingdom of God is a kingdom not of violence but of peace. In today's Gospel passage, the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was to come. Jesus answered them that the kingdom of God could not be observed externally. It can be felt within. The kingdom of God is within us. Hence, we should not only be waiting for God's manifestation in glorious events of our life but also in the Serenity of our hearts.

 

This must have been what Paul had experienced while in prison after all his zealous missionary activities. Not only did he find God in his surroundings but also within him. Hence, we should not wonder why Paul would be able to write a letter to Philemon without the slightest tone of agitation. Paul was serene while reconciling Onesimus to Philemon.