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Gospel Reading for November 12, 2026 – Luke 17: 20-25
OUR ONLY CHANCE
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.” Then he said to his disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’ Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”
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Most of us would be afraid when lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other. But there are those among us—nature lovers or photography enthusiasts—who would even eagerly await lightning flashes during a thunderstorm.
Jesus likened his coming to lightning that flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other. Should we be afraid of his coming? Or would we be among those who eagerly await his return?
There is a saying, “Lightning never strikes the same place twice.” Although scientifically incorrect, if we apply this saying to Jesus’ Second Coming, it can mean that when he comes, it will be for the Final Judgment. There will be no second chance.
This is why, while we are still on earth, we are given the opportunity to help build God’s Kingdom among us by being true and faithful followers of Jesus. It is OUR ONLY CHANCE.
Father God, may thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven! Amen.
