Have I become blind and deaf to the Kingdom of God?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 32nd Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 17:20-25*

*First Reading : Phlm 7-20*

*Have I become blind and deaf to the Kingdom of God?*

*1) The Search for the Kingdom of God*

The Gospel of the day, has a special intuition in the search of the Kingdom of God 

When the Pharisees asked about when the *Kingdom of God* would come, indicates the Search for the Kingdom of God

*2) The Kingdom of God is among You*

To the question and to the search for the Kingdom of God, Jesus gives a bold answer saying that *the Kingdom of God is among you*

So there is no question of coming of the Kingdom of God, when it is already found among us. 

If the Kingdom of God is found among us, what would be its nature? Where it is hidden among us? How to know and experience the Kingdom of God in our daily life? 

*3) Various Signs of the Kingdom of God*

When one is able to smile, in Smile there is the Kingdom of God

If one is able to forgive others, the Kingdom of is really present in it 

When one is able to serve, it is the realisation of the Kingdom of God

When one is able to sacrifice ones wealth, belongings, resources, energy and if needed life itself for the betterment of the other, the kingdom of God is really present there 

Where two or three are able to gather and pray for each other, it is nothing but the Kingdom of God

When one is able to understand the other and able to adjust with the other, it is God's kingdom which works there 

When one is able to love another unconditionally, it is the Kingdom of God which is hidden in unconditional Love 

*4) Signs of the Kingdom of God and My Life*

What are the signs of the Kingdom of God, I have in my life

Have I tried to discover these signs from my life, which already hidden in my Life 

The Kingdom of God and the values of the Kingdom of God are already present in my life. My mission is to discover them and to show them to the world through my life

*5) Sensitivity is needed*

To recognise the Kingdom of God in my Life, in and around me, I need to be very sensitive, very active and need to be a good observer 

Our eyes should be active to recognise good in others 

Our ears should be active to hear the good things 

Our mouth should be a instrument to speak good things and great things 

Our mind must reason out good and great things 

Our hands and legs should be the instruments to serve others 

When we are able to do this, we are able to find the kingdom of God in and around us and within us. 

Am I ready to search the Kingdom of God within me??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*