November 12, 2026
Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
Readings for Today
Readings for Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
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
The Pharisees, like many Jews of their time, expected the Kingdom of God to arrive in a dramatic, visible, and political way. They awaited a Messiah from the line of King David who would deliver Israel from Roman rule, restore national independence, and establish a glorious earthly reign, marked by triumph over enemies. Their expectation was purely earthly, not spiritual. Thus, their question about when the Kingdom of God would come reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of God and His saving activity in the present moment.
Their question may have been more than simple curiosity. It was likely a test or even a trap. The Pharisees often questioned Jesus, not to learn from Him, but to expose Him as a fraud and undermine His credibility. Relying on human wisdom alone, they used that “wisdom” as a weapon to discredit our Lord. They may have hoped Jesus would recklessly offer a concrete timeline, giving them grounds to accuse Him of false prophecy or incite unrest among the people. How tragic that the greatest adversaries of the Messiah were the very religious leaders tasked with preparing His way.
Jesus corrects their misguided expectation of a political or visible messianic kingdom by revealing that the true Kingdom of God is not something to be “observed” with earthly eyes. It is not found “here” or “there” in a geographical or political sense. Instead, He says, “the Kingdom of God is among you.” The Greek phrase translated “among you” may also be rendered “within you,” indicating either that the Kingdom is in their midst—through Christ’s very presence—or within the hearts of those who believe.
Saint Augustine, in his commentary on the Our Father, teaches that the petition “Thy Kingdom come” refers to Christ Himself. Jesus is the Kingdom. Where He is present, the Kingdom has indeed come.
Moving forward two thousand years, if we ask our Lord when the Kingdom of God will come, He will first look into our hearts to discern the sincerity of our question. If He finds humility and a longing for truth, seeing that we seek not a sign but Himself, then He will reveal His presence to us in profound ways.
Do you perceive the presence of Christ in this world? By virtue of the Incarnation, the Son of God, our King and Messiah, remains present in countless ways. He is among us in the Sacraments, in His living Word, in His Church, and in the lives of those who serve Him in charity and truth. He is within us when we pray, surrender to Him, conform our will to His by grace, and reflect His love to others.
Yet often, as we journey through life, we live for tomorrow rather than for today. We think of when things will be better and overlook the sacred presence of Christ in the present moment. By learning from the poor example of the Pharisees, we are invited not to search for something distant or delayed, but to recognize Him who is already here, dwelling in our midst, awaiting our recognition, our love, and our witness.
Reflect today on whether you tend to seek God in some future moment or extraordinary sign, while overlooking His quiet and constant presence in your life right now. Ponder the ways He is “among you” and “within you” in prayer, in grace, in the Eucharist, and in the people He places before you. Ponder whether you truly believe that His Kingdom has already come through Christ and whether you live each day in communion with that Kingdom. As you reflect, renew your awareness that Christ is not distant. He is here. He reigns already in hidden glory, and He invites you to discover and serve Him with all your heart.
My Lord and King, You are not a distant ruler, hidden in some far-off land. You are here, among us and within those who believe. Help me to perceive Your presence today—in the Eucharist, in Your Word, and in the quiet movements of grace in my heart. May I never seek You in empty signs, but recognize You where You truly dwell. Reign in my heart today and always, O Lord, and make me a living witness of Your Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You.
Saint of the Day – Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
Explore the book Our Father: The Lord’s Prayer as a School of Desire
Scripture Meditations for Ordinary Time
