“THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AMONG YOU.”
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.” Lk 17:20–21
Like many Jews of their time, the Pharisees imagined the establishment of the Kingdom of God in terms of external, political authority. Jesus, however, teaches that it is something eminently spiritual, supernatural, which has been happening ever since Jesus’ coming, although its climax will be after his second coming or Parousia at the end of the world; its effect is to be seen, above all, in men’s hearts, although it is also something visible and external, just as the Church has a visible dimension.
The presence of the Kingdom of God in each soul is something one perceives through the affections and inspirations communicated by the Holy Spirit. St Therèse of Lisieux says this about her own experience:
“the Doctor of doctors teaches us without the sound of words. I have never heard him speak, and yet I know he is within my soul. Every moment he is guiding and inspiring me, and, just at the moment I need them, ‘lights’ till then unseen are granted me. Most often it is not at prayer that they come but while I go about my daily duties” (The Story of a Soul, chap. 8).
Let us not forget that by virtue of Baptism, our soul in grace is a temple of God. Let us then seek, deal with and love the Blessed Trinity in our soul, avoiding anything which would cause God to withdraw from our midst.
“When you seek to draw close to our Lord, remember that he is always very close to you, that he is in you: regnum Dei intra vos est (Lk 17:21). The kingdom of God is within you. You will find him in your heart. St. Josemaria”
Mother Mary, God’s finest creation, Daughter, Mother and Spouse, full of grace, pray for us that we may be more aware of God’s presence in our soul in grace to deal, thank, love and adore Him more.