Hidden in plain view

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Readings: PHMN 7-20; PS 146:7, 8-9A, 9BC-10; LK 17:20-25
Notes: No Mass today, Hurricane Nicole. The storm is beautiful!

What we have the power to do is not what we should do.
The Kingdom is not what we see or what we legislate.

The Kingdom is here and now and is the imperative of Saint Paul:

I rather urge you out of love.
The good you do might not be forced but voluntary.

And so it should be for one and all.
Even when your sense of holy is violated.

Or do you wish to imprison Onesimus once again?

You are free to love not to punish.

This is the kingdom hidden in plain view.

We continue toward the end of the liturgical year and Christ, the King of the Universe.

Reflection

At a time when there is widespread criticism of Church structures, we also hear criticism that bishops and priests—indeed, all of us—are too preoccupied with administration of temporal matters. Pope Leo is an example of a great administrator who used his talents in areas where spirit and structure are inseparably combined: doctrine, peace, and pastoral care. He avoided an “angelism” that tries to live without the body, as well as the “practicality” that deals only in externals.

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-leo-the-great

First reading
although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper, I rather urge you out of love
but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.

Responsorial Psalm
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

The LORD secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free.

Alleluia Verse
I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord: whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.

Gospel Portion
Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry