Today's Gospel encourages us to ask a very important question: What is the kingdom of God? Some people would like to think of the kingdom of God as a place which we hope to see after death, or as a state of mind in which we feel very peaceful. However Jesus' answer to the Pharisees shows very clearly that the Kingdom of God is something else. It is not only coming, but "the kingdom of God is among you". So where is it? The most plausible interpretation of this passage is that Jesus was talking about Himself. He is the kingdom of God. When we live in Him and with Him, we live in the Kingdom of God.

During prayer we can reflect on our understanding of the kingdom of God. Whenever we try to imagine that kingdom, we may consider whether or not it corresponds with the message of Jesus. Let us meditate on Jesus as the fullest representation of God's Kingdom.

We desire to find peace and the fulfillment of our deepest longings, but often we do not know where to look for such peace and fulfillment. Jesus is the kingdom of God in person, Jesus is the place where we find what we are looking for.