*HOMILY OF THURSDAY OF THE 32TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
ST JOSAPHAT* , Bishop and Martyr (MEMORIAL)
_St Josaphat is a martyr and patron for the reunion of the Greek and Latin Churches. Born in Ukraine as an Orthodox in 1580, he became a Catholic and then monk and priest of the order of St Basil. He became archimandrite and later archbishop of Polock. A zealous and dedicated bishop. He worked very for Christian Unity, until, in 1623, he suffered martyrdom at the hands of those who opposed his efforts_ . Daily Missal.
The kingdom of God is already established wherever the presence of Christ is.
In today’s gospel, when the Lord asked when the kingdom was coming, he simply answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, Behold, here it is! Or there! for behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst”
The kingdom of God is all about a person; the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. We join in the establishment of this kingdom when we live our life from the stand point of Christ.
Moreover, the kingdom is more than demonstration of power. It is more of the demonstration of love . It is the power of love that can create the beautiful world we desire.
In the first reading Paul, appeals to this love, without which Philemon cannot receive Onesimus, his run away slave. He appealed to recieve him no longer as a slave but as a brother.
The moment we begin to see others as possible and fellow citizens of heaven, we are already establishing the kingdom of God on earth.
May the love of God burn in us that we may be agents of his kingdom on earth. Amen.
