WHERE IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD? - 11/10/22 (Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church)

Luke 17:20-21

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110922.cfm

Blessed Memorial of Saint Leo the Great! The Pharisees had numerous conversations with Jesus Christ. They listened to many of His sermons and witnessed many of His miracles. And yet, they were still asking when the Kingdom of God would come. Jesus Christ is the King of the universe, He is our King. Unfortunately, the Pharisees were unable to see Him as their King and consequently, they were unaware that the Kingdom of God was among them. The Kingdom of God is not just in heaven. It is already here with us. So, where is the Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is in our hearts. Let's remember that God dwells within us. As such, when we pray to our Lord, we shouldn't be thinking that He's far away from us. Rather, we should think of prayer as going within us and seeking God who is closer to us than we are to ourselves. The Pharisees did not see that God dwelt within them. Because of this lack of awareness, they did not realize their sins, especially towards God whom they crucified. If we are tempted to sin, such as thinking or saying negative things towards other people or other sins, may we remember that God is within us, and this remembrance of God's presence will enable us to avoid such temptations and be pleasing to Him. 

Also, we should not neglect the reality that the Catholic Church is the Kingdom of God here on earth. As it's written in Matthew 16:18, Jesus founded the Church on the Rock, which pertained to St. Peter, and the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church. The spread of God's Kingdom is also an invitation for people to accept the fullness of truth in the Catholic Church. Today is the memorial of St. Leo the Great. He was the Pope or the Bishop of Rome, and he was courageous in defending the truth. When some people thought that Jesus only had Divine nature and not human nature or when others thought that there was a mixture in the human and Divine nature of God, St. Leo the Great addressrd these heresies through an Ecumenical Council. When he sent his representatives to deliver his message affirming that Jesus is both God and man without any mixture in the Divine and human nature, the bishops recognized that St. Peter, the first Pope, spoke through St. Leo the Great. The Catholic Church is the Body of Christ and the Mystical Spouse of Christ here on earth. Th Catholic Church would experience what our Lord experienced as well. Like Jesus, the Catholic Church will experience numerous sufferings from people who may not see the Kingdom of God. No matter what happens, let's strengthen our hope in Christ because like Him, there will be a time that the Catholic Church will have a glorious victory. The resurrection of Jesus should give us hope for the second coming of Christ and our glorious resurrection. Let's remain in Jesus because He will help us amidst all sufferings for the sake of His Kingdom. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Life of St. Leo the Great:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/november-10--st-leo-the-great/e/

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/