Daily Readings - Tue Oct 29 2019
Romans
18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Luke
18Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?19It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches."20Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?21It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on hope, transformation, and the gradual unfolding of God’s plan in our lives. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul reminds us that the sufferings of this present time are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us. He speaks of creation itself groaning in anticipation of redemption, a reminder that even the natural world is yearning for the fullness of God’s plan. This passage encourages us to trust in God’s promise, even when we face trials, for we have been saved by hope. Hope, Paul says, is not something we see; it is what we wait for with patience and perseverance.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses two simple yet profound parables to describe the Kingdom of God. The mustard seed, small and seemingly insignificant, grows into a great tree where birds can rest. The leaven, hidden in dough, works quietly until it transforms the entire batch. These images remind us that the Kingdom of God is not about grandeur or immediate results. Instead, it begins in small, hidden ways—like a seed or a pinch of yeast—and grows gradually, transforming everything it touches. This teaches us to trust in the power of small actions and to be patient, for God often works in ways that are subtle yet profound.
Together, these readings encourage us to live with hope and faith in the midst of challenges. Like creation, we groan inwardly, longing for the fullness of God’s plan, but we do so with confidence in His promise. Like the mustard seed and the leaven, our efforts, though small, can have a transformative impact when entrusted to God. Let us embrace the hope that sustains us, trusting that even in the midst of suffering, God is at work, bringing His Kingdom to life in us and through us.