4th Tuesday in Lent, March 29. “A lot of work for love to do.”

Prepare to Listen.  Still your inner noises then pray: Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.
 
Prayerfully Read Luke 17:20-21
20Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!”  For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.’
 
Prayerfully Wonder
The Pharisees’ question is one we too ask, often.  We wonder when the end will come and when Jesus will return to establish God’s kingdom.  We think we must prepare for this end and warn people of its coming and, as a result, we might forget to live fully in the now.
 
In one of Alexander McCall Smith’s number one lady’s detective series, the main character, Mma Ramotswe asks her bishop about when the world would come to an end.  He wisely responded with the importance of living in and for the now, reminding Mma that “there is a lot of work for love to do.”  Jesus warned us to stop searching for the kingdom because, not only will it not be what we think it should be, but because it is already here now.  He said, “the kingdom of God is among you.”  Among can also mean within you and we have a lot of work to do to demonstrate to the world that we are, right now, kingdom people by doing the many works of love that need to be done.  Love is an essential kingdom characteristic—love of God and love of neighbor, that is anyone, regardless of who or what they are, who needs help.
 
Prayerfully Reflect
What work of love (kingdom work) can you do today?
 
Respond to Jesus
Lord Jesus, help me live today as one who believes the kingdom is within me so that others experience the love, justice and mercy so central to your kingdom.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Do works of love today.