Daily Reading: 20 May

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Jesus lives in and among us.

Something to read

In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them for ever. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.

- The Book of Wisdom 3, 7-9 New Revised Standard Version.

Something to think about

'The reign of God is among you'. Many interpretations favour the use of ‘among you’ instead of ‘within you’. St Luke emphasises the communal dimension of the reign of God. Jesus is not only living in each one of us but also among us.

The Pharisees asked Jesus about the time and place where the reign will be established but they were unable to grasp the message: Jesus’ presence is the Reign of God.

When we see the presence of Jesus among us in our community, then there is no need to look at the sky and wait for a spectacular coming. We have a responsibility to shine like stars, demonstrating the significance of complete trust in God, by shaping our lives with His values even when they are contrary to the nature of our contemporary world.

Something to do

Make a conscious effort to embody the values of God’s reign in your life and to be guided by them. Let your thoughts, attitudes and actions be in accordance with such values, so that it becomes routine.

Something to pray

Pray for God’s wisdom, understanding and awareness of the values of God’s reign and for God’s empowerment to genuinely follow such paths, without fear or favour.

Today’s contributor is Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe, a former Bishop of the Kurunagala Diocese in the Church of Ceylon, Sri Lanka.