First reading Romans 8:18-25
The whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his sons
I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us. The whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his sons. It was not for any fault on the part of creation that it was made unable to attain its purpose, it was made so by God; but creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God. From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free. For we must be content to hope that we shall be saved – our salvation is not in sight, we should not have to be hoping for it if it were – but, as I say, we must hope to be saved since we are not saved yet – it is something we must wait for with patience.
Responsorial Psalm 125(126)
What marvels the Lord worked for us.
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.
What marvels the Lord worked for us.
The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels
the Lord worked for them!’
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.
What marvels the Lord worked for us.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
What marvels the Lord worked for us.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves.
What marvels the Lord worked for us.
Gospel Luke 13:18-21
The kingdom of God is like the yeast that leavened three measures of flour
Jesus said, ‘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.’
Another thing 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.’
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The kingdom of God comes through the simple gestures of love
The mustard thrown into the ground, and the yeast mixed into the flour. These are seemingly insignificant acts, yet they produce significant outcomes. The mustard seed grew to become a tree where birds took shelter from its branches. The yeast made the dough rise that led it to become bread to satisfy the hunger of people. God’s kingdom, is thus, compared to the mustard seed and the yeast. In the kingdom of God, a small gesture of love can become something significant and life-giving because God works powerfully through them.
Our small and simple acts of kindness and service to someone can bear fruit beyond imagining. Each day, we have opportunities to make God’s kingdom present here and now by our little acts of love.
Question for reflection:
Do I recognise that my simple and small acts of love are openings for God’s kingdom to be present in the world today?
Do I recognise that my simple and small acts of love are openings for God’s kingdom to be present in the world today?
