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Reading today's gospel passage about the signs of the kingdom of God's nearness, we do well to remember what Jesus says earlier in Luke: "If it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Luke 11:20). For Jesus could speak of the kingdom of God both as already present in his ministry and also as something that will come fully in the future.
The kingdom of God is "already and not yet." That expression really is the best way to summarize the gospel presentation of the kingdom of God. Jesus inaugurated that end-time activity of God the Father in his life, death, resurrection, and outpouring of the Spirit; and he told us to look forward to the revelation of the kingdom's fullness at the end of history. Jesus also taught us to relate to that paradox of "already and not yet" in his prayer: "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The good news for us today is that God will not abandon us. God is the source of faith, hope and love. The challenge is for us to recognize it in the signs of the times, in the people's faces.
O Lord, Help us to be with you always, even in times of troubles and difficulties.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That we may be open to personal encounter and dialogue with all, even those whose convictions differ from our own.
Elaboration
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