The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our experiences that point to the fullness of the Kingdom of God that has root in our love and care for others.
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans 8.18-25 Future Glory Destiny of Glory
* [8:18–27] The glory that believers are destined to share with Christ far exceeds the sufferings of the present life. Paul considers the destiny of the created world to be linked with the future that belongs to the believers. As it shares in the penalty of corruption brought about by sin, so also will it share in the benefits of redemption and future glory that comprise the ultimate liberation of God’s people (Rom 8:19–22). After patient endurance in steadfast expectation, the full harvest of the Spirit’s presence will be realized. On earth believers enjoy the firstfruits, i.e., the Spirit, as a guarantee of the total liberation of their bodies from the influence of the rebellious old self (Rom 8:23). (Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 126 praises the Harvest of Joy.
* [Psalm 126] A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Ps 126:1–3) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Ps 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Ps 126:5–6). (Psalms, PSALM 126, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches the Parables of the Mustard Seed and of the Yeast.
* [13:18–21] Two parables are used to illustrate the future proportions of the kingdom of God that will result from its deceptively small beginning in the preaching and healing ministry of Jesus. They are paralleled in Mt 13:31–33 and Mk 4:30–32. (Luke, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)
Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that Jesus was so new, so different, so attractive that He said and did these many things to keep his followers and new-comers interested enough not to be bored and wander off.
Do you enjoy word-puzzles? Can you be a puzzlement to yourself? Who is the most mysterious or puzzling person to whom you are attracted? Now you have an idea about Jesus’ use of seeds and leaven, or maybe not! Keep being attracted to the Great Puzzle Master and thereby avoid being spiritually bored. (Gillick, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “The Word of God operates in us like leaven,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The leaven is small in quantity, yet it immediately seizes the whole mass and quickly communicates its own properties to it. The Word of God operates in us in a similar manner. When it is admitted within us, it makes us holy and without blame. By pervading our mind and heart, it makes us spiritual. Paul says, 'Our whole body and spirit and soul may be kept blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ' (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The God of all clearly shows that the divine Word is poured out even into the depth of our understanding... We receive the rational and divine leaven in our mind. We understand that by this precious, holy and pure leaven, we may be found spiritually unleavened and have none of the wickedness of the world, but rather be pure, holy partakers of Christ."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 96) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 8:18-25 comments that let’s pay closer attention to the eager longing the Holy Spirit has placed within us. Let’s try to heighten our expectation of the glory to come. We can see traces of this glory all around us. It’s there in each multicolored autumn leaf or chrysanthemum in full bloom. You get a glimpse of it when the varied voices at church join together in praise of God. Or when people love one another sacrificially.
When the Lord opens our eyes to this glory, we can live with the joy and hope that it will one day be revealed in its fullness. Don’t let the sufferings of this present time distract you or discourage you. Keep looking for the ways that God is ceaselessly at work. He is making all things new!
“Jesus, strengthen my hope in the glory you have in store for me when you come into your kingdom.” (Meditation on Romans 8:18-25, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the teaching of Paul that we accept our Cross and realize that our suffering is nothing compared to the Glory of God that calls us to live apart from selfishness and sin. We are already living in the Spirit but there is more to come as our surrender to the Will of God is our greatest hope for more love. Friar Jude reminds us that the love in small acts is the seed to change the Universe for some.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian and Cherokee descendant Randy Woodley who considers how the Bible offers insight into relationship with creation.
God loves everything in creation (John 3:16). In the stories we find God counting the clouds (Job 38:37), releasing the rain (Job 5:10), directing the snow (Job 37:6; 38:22), knowing when a sparrow falls (Matthew 10:29), knowing where a donkey is tied (Matthew 21:2), knowing where the fish will swim (John 21:6), adorning the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:29–30), and comparing the ostrich and the stork (Job 39:13). At the time of Jesus, there were lots of modern mechanisms, lots of inventions [including] chariots and wheels and waterwheels and little torches and all kinds of mechanistic things. But we find Jesus mostly talking about the things that grow out of the earth and the things that fly above the earth. (Rohr, 2023)
We discover the possibility of the growth of the Kingdom of God in our connection with Nature and the kindness and compassion of the people in our lives.
References
Gillick, L. (2023, October 31). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/103123.html
Luke, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/13?18
Meditation on Romans 8:18-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/31/817477/
Psalms, PSALM 126. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/126?1
Rohr, R. (2023, October 31). Community of Creation — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/community-of-creation/
Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8?18
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct31
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