November 11, 2021
Thursday of the Thirty-Second Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop—Memorial
Listen for English
When the Pharisees ask Jesus when Kingdom of God go come, Jesus answer dem say, “The way Kingdom of God go come no be wetin people fit observe, and nobody go announce say, ‘Look, e dey here,’ or, ‘E dey there.’ Because, look, Kingdom of God dey among una.” Luke 17:20–21
Why the Pharisees ask Jesus this question? Why dem wan know when Kingdom of God go come? To answer this question, we must first look at the full setting of the different talks between Jesus and the Pharisees. When we do this, and we see the many ways wey the Pharisees try to use Jesus’ own words set trap for Am, and the times wey our Lord rebuke the Pharisees firmly, e clear say the Pharisees no ask Jesus this question with innocent and open heart. Instead, dem dey try once again to set trap for Am. Dem ask question wey make dem look like say dem believe Jesus’ teaching say Kingdom of God dey come, but no be faith make dem ask. Na to mock Am and to try catch Am for the answer wey E go give.
Jesus’ answer get mystery inside. E hardly give the Pharisees any chance to use Jesus’ words against Am. Maybe the Pharisees dey expect say Jesus go talk say the Kingdom go soon come, or e go come next month, or before the year end. But Jesus’ answer leave dem confused before this mystery say “Kingdom of God dey among una.”
Na only through faith person fit fully understand plenty of the things wey Jesus dey talk. Many times, E deliberately dey talk for way wey hide the meaning, because na only when we rely on the gift of faith wey God inspire we fit uncover and understand the meaning of His teachings. Faith be like key wey dey open the secrets of God’s mysteries. Faith come be like lens wey we dey use understand every parable, every figure of speech, and every mystery wey our Lord teach. But without this gift of faith wey God inspire, Jesus’ teachings go remain mystery wey person no fit understand.
When you think deeply about these words say “Kingdom of God dey among una,” wetin you understand? You fit use the gift of faith open the meaning of this holy teaching? One interesting thing be say, when we read Jesus’ words wey E talk for way wey hide the meaning, we get chance to test our own faith. If we read His words and confusion still remain, na clear sign say we need to pray for the gift of faith and open our heart to receive am. But if we read Jesus’ teachings wey get mystery inside and God give us light to understand, then we get clear reason to rejoice, because na only through the gift of faith this understanding fit happen.
Today, reflect on this holy teaching of our Lord: “Kingdom of God dey among una.” Meditate on those words and pray make you fit see their deeper meaning and understand dem. Jesus’ words na true. His Kingdom truly dey everywhere, all around us and inside us. E dey alive and e dey flourish. You dey see am? You dey recognise am? You dey see your own part for building am? Use these questions test how your own faith be, and know say God wan reveal these mysteries to you, and na only through His grace person fit understand dem.
My Lord wey full of mystery, Your Kingdom dey everywhere, all around us and inside us. I truly believe. Give me eyes of faith so that I go fit continue to recognise Your hand as You dey work. Make I always pay attention to everything wey You want reveal to me, and make my heart dey open to the deep meaning of the mysteries wey You reveal. Increase my faith, dear Lord, so that I go fit know You and join to build Your glorious Kingdom. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint for Today – Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
