Read Wisdom 7:22-8:1, Ps. 119:89-91,130,135,175 & Luke 17:20-25
“Behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (Luke 17:21)
Today’s first reading perfectly describes the essence of spiritual wisdom as against worldly wisdom. As the book of wisdom says, to be wise is to be unpolluted by immoral thoughts and sensual desires. Wisdom is spotless and undefiled by worldly corruption. When your heart is pure, God comes to dwell in it making your heart another heaven.
To be wise is to be grateful for the past, confident for the present, and free of anxiety about the future. When we have God within us, we have no reason to fear. This is the point Jesus makes to the Pharisees in our Gospel passage who asked about the coming of the kingdom of God.
Jesus says: “The kingdom of God is in your midst.” The kingdom of God is what happens when I make my heart pure enough for God to dwell. The kingdom of God is when I allow God to reign in my life; when I follow His commandments when I walk according to His statutes.
The kingdom of God is me loving my neighbours as myself. The kingdom of God is me helping the poor and needy, treating people just as I expect to be treated. The kingdom of God is letting Jesus reign around me by following His teachings.
Remember that song: “The time to be happy is now, the place to be happy is here and the way to be happy is to make someone happy and we’ll have a little heaven down here.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, make me wiser each day. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop (Memorial). Bible Study: Wisdom 7:22-8:1, Ps. 119:89-91,130,135,175 & Luke 17:20-25).