Kingdom Within Us!

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Phmn 7-20; Lk 10:2025

Today’s Gospel highlights that the Kingdom of God is within us. 

The truth of what Jesus says about the presence of the Kingdom within us is captured in a novel by the Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. 

Coelho’s novel The Alchemist follows Santiago, a young shepherd, who dreams of a hidden treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. As he embarks on his journey, he learns that true treasure is not external but lies within oneself. Along the way, he encounters characters who guide him toward such self-discovery. Through his journey, Santiago learns that the universe conspires to help those who pursue their true purpose. The treasure he seeks turns out to be the wisdom gained from within and the realization that all experiences are part of the greater whole. Ultimately, the novel is a reminder that the most valuable treasures in life are not found in material wealth but in the pursuit of one’s dreams and self-realization leading to inner fulfillment.

The shepherd boy understands that real discovery is the discovery of oneself and all that remains buried there. 

Just so, Jesus talks of the presence of the Kingdom within us. 

Jesus implies that discovering the Kingdom is discovering the Divine within us and conducting our lives in the light of that truth. 

In other words, the Kingdom is brought into realization by who we evolve into, embracing the truth of the indwelling presence of God in us. 

Hence, the Kingdom is an internal discovery but manifested externally through our moral lives. 

We transform ourselves into representatives of the Kingdom when we give life to the Gospel values. 

Let us pray that our exemplary lives may contribute to the understanding of the Kingdom by others and lead to its flourishing in the world. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar