St Josaphat | Thursday 12 November 2020

Today is Thursday the 12 November, the feast of St Josaphat in the 32nd week of Ordinary Time.  

The Kyiv Chamber Choir sing In Thy Kingdom from One Thousand Years Of Ukrainian Sacred Music.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.  

Luke 17:20-25

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; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.’   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. They will say to you, “Look there!” or “Look here!” Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. For 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. But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation.    

The Pharisees question Jesus as if they truly expect a physical invasion from Heaven. How do I imagine the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven? Do I believe that there should be some visible clues that the world is about to change? Would that be easier to accept than to believe that the Kingdom of God is not only among us but within me?  

Do I ask the same question as the Pharisees, in the hope that God will intervene and bring about a better world?  

I listen to the reading again…  

It is said that one of St Josaphat’s devotional prayers was the ‘Jesus Prayer’ - ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ A prayer filled with hope and trust. If it feels appropriate, carry this with you as a mantra for the day.    

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.