Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
October 26, 2021
Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 480
Reading I
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.
Responsorial Psalm
- (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.
Alleluia
- Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
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.”
Reflection: KINGDOM OF GOD: THE PARADOX AND THE PARADIGM
God created the world and saw that it was good. Sin shatters that goodness. The creation would like once again to meet its original goodness. According to Paul, the whole creation groans, suffers, and strains as a woman giving birth. Now we are saved by God's grace. As he rose from the dead so also we shall arise. Baptism already freed us from the power of sin and now we live in the spirit. We are the children of God and the heirs of heaven. This is the first fruit of the Spirit. The perfection is yet to come. For this we are still living in hope. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God will be established. He illustrates this by two parables. The mustard seed grows into a mighty tree. This small pilgrim group, “the disciples" with Jesus, on the way to Jerusalem will become the Church which gathers the whole world. The twelve with Simon will be the greatest organization on earth. The Church is for all people. The charity of the Church today has a mighty army of men and women under the banner of the cross to show God's love to the mankind like leaven. Like leaven, the Gospel, is given from the outside, but works from within. Human selfishness becomes self-sacrificing love, self- interest changed into dedication. Pride gives way to humility, sensuality to purity. This leaven has worked throughout the centuries. It produced heroes, saints and martyrs. Christianity is the greatest revolution still: 'A revolution of God's love'.