Thurs., Nov. 12: Wis 7:22b–8:1; Luke 17:20-25

Josaphat, bishop, martyr

The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed. … For behold, the kingdom of God is among you. A challenging yet comforting statement. God’s kingdom is among (some translations read “within”) us, a work in progress. God builds us into his image by making us collaborators in his work. We must not spend so much time meditating on heaven that we neglect persons and situations we encounter every day. We must not regard any good work we are able to do for those in need as too insignificant to claim our attention. In heaven’s economy, no good work that alleviates human need or protects the earth’s well-being should be considered trivial, nor need it distract us from God, who is here, working through us.

*Lord, lift my praising heart to you and my helping hand to my neighbor.