THE KINGDOM AMONG YOU

PRAYER MOMENT

Thursday 14 November 2013

THE KINGDOM AMONG YOU

Pause.  Enter into your own silence within.

Reading. “The kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, ‘look here! Look there!’ For you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17:2-25)

Reflection. The kingdom of God, the reign of God, is among you and within you. Churches, whatever the church, can be very human organisations. Take off your hat, take off your shoes. Sit on a bench, sit on the floor. There is the priest, there is the prophet. Here are the women, here are the men. It can be all very structural and have hidden agendas of power and precedent. No wonder some churches, like the Society of Friends (Quakers) who do not even call themselves a “church”, have done away with all the structures and just try to enter within. They remind us of the essential, what Jesus told Martha, the reign of God has already come. “It is among you”, visible to those with “rinsed eyes”, clear in those who show love and compassion for others, who forgive and are deeply concerned about others as Jesus was. The kingdom of God is among you.

Prayer. Lord, teach us to recognise the presence of your reign everywhere among us. And help us to proclaim your kingdom by our actions and words, our love and compassion. Amen.