Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”
Luke 17:20-21
It can be said that the Kingdom of God is both “already” but “not yet.” It is already present in our midst, but not yet brought to fulfillment. This paradox can be better understood if we identify the Kingdom of God with Christ. Our Lord is already present in the world through His Body, the Church. But we still await his coming at the end of time when He will be all in all.
Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Martin of Tours. St. Martin was a holy man who lived his life moved by a great affection for Christ. It was this affection that compelled him to treat others with charity. In doing so, he made Christ known—he made visible a reality that otherwise would have been unseen by others. Today we pray to be like St. Martin, so that Christ’s presence may be known through us as we await the coming of God’s Kingdom in fullness.
How am I growing, like St. Martin, in my relationship with Christ so as to make Him known in the world today?
Today we pray for all those who follow Christ, that we may be witnesses to His presence in a world in need of Him.
Today's Reflection is by:
Fr. Ralph D'Elia
Did you know...
Fr. Ralph D’Elia was ordained a priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 2019. He is currently assigned as the parochial vicar of the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Previously Fr. Ralph studied Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, with a specialization in Moral Theology.
