Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Felmar Fiel SVD – Verbum, Los Banos Laguna
Thursday 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
I have lost count of how many end-of-the-world predictions have been made. In the Gospel today, the Pharisees ask Jesus regarding the coming of the kingdom, which for them, is that time when the triumphant Messiah shall gloriously appear. Jesus, however, says that it is not going to be like that at all.
The kingdom of God will come unannounced. The end of the world is not dependent on the fearless predictions made in different epochs of history. Because it is usually represented as a moment of suffering and crisis, as a time of disasters, natural calamities, and wars, many would believe that the kingdom of God is not far from happening. There are ‘false prophets’ who deceive others in making such conclusions.
The kingdom of God is among you. It is not only an event in the future but also a present reality – Jesus being present among his disciples in their life and mission.
Instead of being stressed about a particular date when the kingdom of God is supposed to come, we listen to Jesus who invites us today to focus on the realities of our daily lives. While some of us may be struggling in the present, we ask Him to give us a healthy expectation of His coming.
Trials, persecutions, and even desolations must not be seen as indications that it is time to give up, but as invitations to greater faith and patience.
