Gospel: Luke 17:20-25
The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was to come. He answered, “The kingdom of God is not like something you can observe, and say of it, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘See, there it is!’ for the kingdom of God is within you.” And Jesus said to his disciples, “The time is at hand, when you will long to see one of the glorious days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Then people will tell you, ‘Look there! Look here!’ Do not go with them, do not follow them. As lightning flashes from one end of the sky to the other, so will it be with the Son of Man; but first he must suffer many things, and be rejected by this generation.
Reflection:
"We live in a time of migration."
Mother Cabrini wanted to be a missionary in China. She sought the Pope’s approval for her plan, but he advised that she should focus on the poor Italian immigrants who were flocking to the United States of America. And so, the Pope advised that she go “not to the East, but to the West.” She worked tirelessly for the spread of the Gospel. Saint Frances Cabrini described this as working for the “extension of the Kingdom of God on this earth.” However, this spread or extension is ultimately not a physical or geographical notion, since “the kingdom of God is within you.” God’s presence and providence is all encompassing. He is already in our midst, even when we do not acknowledge him. Thus, the missionary effort of the Church is to bring to people to an awareness of Christ’s saving Gospel and of God’s loving and sustaining presence within them. That is the extension of the Kingdom for which Mother Cabrini dedicated her life. We live in a time of migration. May those who flee their country in poverty or in fear find shelter and safety. May they know that God is with them.
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