Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 480
Lectionary: 480
Brothers and
sisters:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,
in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees for itself is not hope.
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,
in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees for itself is not hope.
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.
Responsorial PsalmPS 126:1B-2AB, 2CD-3, 4-5, 6
R. (3a) The Lord has done marvels for us.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
GospelLK 13:18-21
Jesus said, “What
is the Kingdom of God like?
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”
Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”
Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
Meditation: "What God's kingdom is like"
What can
mustard seeds and leaven teach us about the kingdom of God? The tiny mustard
seed literally grew to be a tree which attracted numerous birds because they
loved the little black mustard seed it produced. God's kingdom works in a
similar fashion. It starts from the smallest beginnings in the hearts of men
and women who are receptive to God's word. And it works unseen and causes a
transformation from within. Leaven is another powerful agent of change. A lump
of dough left to itself remains just what it is, a lump of dough. But when the
leaven is added to it a transformation takes place which produces rich and
wholesome bread when heated – the staple of life for humans. The kingdom of God
produces a transformation in those who receive the new life which Jesus Christ
offers. When we yield to Jesus Christ, our lives are transformed by the power
of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Paul the Apostle says, "we
have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power
belongs to God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Do you believe
in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit?
"Lord
Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and transform me into the Christ-like
holiness you desire. Increase my zeal for your kingdom and instill in me a holy
desire to live for your greater glory."
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, LUKE 13:18-21
(Romans 8:18-25; Psalm 126)
(Romans 8:18-25; Psalm 126)
KEY VERSE: "What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?" (v 18).
READING: In Jesus' time, Israel had neither king nor kingdom. Some people hoped for a leader with political power to rid them of Roman occupation and restore the rule to Israel. Others hoped for a priestly leader who would bring about spiritual transformation. Jesus announced that the kingdom of God had begun in him. He used images to show that God's reign would not be manifested in sudden or dramatic ways, but in hidden, mysterious ways. When a tiny mustard seed was planted in a garden, it grew to be nine to twelve feet high. A few grains of yeast could alter the whole mass of dough. Although God's reign had insignificant beginnings, it had the capability to become great and powerful, and be the means whereby the whole world would be renewed.
REFLECTING: What are the seemingly unimportant things in my life that have potential for growth?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to trust that all things will be brought to fulfillment in your time.
The Lord has done marvels for us.
‘The seed grew and became a mighty tree.’
The two parables of the mustard seed and the yeast, about spectacular growth from humble beginnings, are sometimes applied to the church which, preaching the Gospel to every creature (Matthew 28:19), has spread throughout the world. They might also refer to the individual Christian believer who, even with ‘faith the size of a mustard seed’ (Luke 17:6), may achieve great things for God and grow in the life of the Spirit. We will know that such growth is taking place if our lives are marked by the fruits of that Spirit - ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (Galatians 5:22-23). Lord, I offer you the little that I have in the hope that you will give me the fullness that you are.
www.churchresources.info
October 29
St. Narcissus of Jerusalem
(d. 215)
Life in second- and third-century Jerusalem couldn’t have been
easy, but St. Narcissus managed to live well beyond 100. Some even speculate he
lived to 160.
Details
of his life are sketchy, but there are many reports of his miracles. The
miracle for which he is most remembered was turning water into oil for use in
the church lamps on Holy Saturday when the deacons had forgotten to provide
any.
We do
know that Narcissus became bishop of Jerusalem in the late second century. He
was known for his holiness, but there are hints that many people found him
harsh and rigid in his efforts to impose church discipline. One of his many
detractors accused Narcissus of a serious crime at one point. Though the
charges against him did not hold up, he used the occasion to retire from his role
as bishop and live in solitude. His disappearance was so sudden and convincing
that many people assumed he had actually died.
Several
successors were appointed during his years in isolation. Finally, Narcissus
reappeared in Jerusalem and was persuaded to resume his duties. By then, he had
reached an advanced age, so a younger bishop was brought in to assist him until
his death.
www.americancatholic.org
LECTIO: LUKE
13,18-21
Lectio:
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty and ever-living God,
Almighty and ever-living God,
strengthen our faith, hope and love.
May we do with loving hearts
what you ask of us
and come to share the life you promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 13,18-21
Jesus went on to say, 'What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.'
Jesus went on to say, 'What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.'
Again he said, 'What shall I compare the kingdom of God with? It
is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till
it was leavened all through.'
3) Reflection
• Context. Along the road that leads him to Jerusalem Jesus is surrounded by “thousands” of persons (11, 29) who crowd around him. The reason for such attraction on the part of the crowds is the Word of Jesus. In chapter 12 one can notice how the persons who listen to his Word alternate: the disciples (12, 1-12), the crowd (vv.13-21), the disciples (vv.22-53), the crowds (vv.54-59). Instead the scandal of the death is the dominating theme of Luke 13, 1-35. In the first part it is spoken about the death of all (vv.1-9), in the second part instead, of the death of Jesus (vv.31-35); to the death avoided for sinners because their conversion is expect6ed. But there is another theme that is put together with the dominating one: the salvation given to men. The cure of the woman who was bent, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had held during eighteen years, is liberated by Jesus. And in the centre of this chapter 13 we find two parables that constitute the whole or overall theme: the Kingdom of God compared to the “mustard seed” and to the “leaven or yeast”.
• Context. Along the road that leads him to Jerusalem Jesus is surrounded by “thousands” of persons (11, 29) who crowd around him. The reason for such attraction on the part of the crowds is the Word of Jesus. In chapter 12 one can notice how the persons who listen to his Word alternate: the disciples (12, 1-12), the crowd (vv.13-21), the disciples (vv.22-53), the crowds (vv.54-59). Instead the scandal of the death is the dominating theme of Luke 13, 1-35. In the first part it is spoken about the death of all (vv.1-9), in the second part instead, of the death of Jesus (vv.31-35); to the death avoided for sinners because their conversion is expect6ed. But there is another theme that is put together with the dominating one: the salvation given to men. The cure of the woman who was bent, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had held during eighteen years, is liberated by Jesus. And in the centre of this chapter 13 we find two parables that constitute the whole or overall theme: the Kingdom of God compared to the “mustard seed” and to the “leaven or yeast”.
• The Kingdom of God is similar to a mustard seed. Such a seed
is very common in Palestine and particularly close to the Lake of Galilee. It
is especially known because it is particularly small. In Luke 17, 6, Jesus uses
such an image to express the hope that he has on the disciples that they have a
minimum faith: “If you had faith like a mustard seed...”. This parable which is
very simple confronts two diverse moments of the story of the seed: the moment
when it is sown in the earth (the modest beginnings) and that in which it
becomes a tree (the final miracle). Therefore, the purpose of this account is
to narrate the extraordinary growth of a seed that is thrown in one’s own
garden, and to this follows an amazing growth, it becomes a tree. Like this
seed the Kingdom of God also has its story. The kingdom of God is the seed
thrown into the garden, the place that in the New Testament is the place of the
agony and the burial of Jesus (Jn 18, 1.26; 19, 41); then follows the moment of
growth and concludes with becoming a tree open to all.
• The Kingdom of God is similar to yeast. Yeast is put into
three measures of flour. In the Hebrew culture yeast was considered a factor of
corruption so much so that it was eliminated from their houses, in order not to
contaminate the feast at Passover which began precisely with the week of the
unleavened dough. In the ears of the Jews the use of this negative element, to
describe the Kingdom of God, was a reason to be disturbed. But the reader is
able to discover the convincing force: it is sufficient to put a very small
quantity of yeast in three measures of flour in order to get a big amount of
dough. Jesus announces that this yeast, hidden or that has disappeared in three
measures of flour, after a certain amount of time, leavens the whole dough.
• The effects of the text on the reader. What do these two
parables communicate to us? The Kingdom of God compared by Jesus to a seed that
becomes a tree, is to be put close to the story of God as a story of his Word:
it is hidden in human history and it is growing; Luke thinks of the Word of God
(the Kingdom of God in our midst) that it is already developing but it has not
as yet become a tree. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are supporting this growth of
the Word. The image of yeast completes the frame of the seed. The yeast is the
Gospel that is working in the world, in the ecclesial communities, in the
individual believers.
4) Personal questions
• Are you aware that the Kingdom of God is present in our midst and that it grows mysteriously and extends itself in the history of every person, and in the Church?
• Are you aware that the Kingdom of God is present in our midst and that it grows mysteriously and extends itself in the history of every person, and in the Church?
• The Kingdom is a humble reality, hidden, poor and silent,
immersed between the competition and pleasures of life. Have you understood
from the two parables, that you will not be able to get a glimpse of the
Kingdom if you do not have an attitude of humble and silent listening?
5) Concluding Prayer
How blessed are all who fear Yahweh,
How blessed are all who fear Yahweh,
who walk in his ways!
Your own labours will yield you a living,
happy and prosperous will you be. (Ps 128,1-2)
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