Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Scripture

Today our readings highlight the connection between hope and the Kingdom of God.  “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promise and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.” (CCC 1817)  For many of us, hope is something that we do not seem to possess in abundance; instead, it’s presence within us often seems small and its growth requires attention and care.  But it is important to focus on hope, since it is through hope that we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. 

In our reading from Romans, St. Paul describes the desire for the kingdom of heaven and the difficulties that humankind will face on its pilgrimage.  He concludes by referencing the key role that hope will play in that pilgrimage towards a destination that is not currently physically before us: “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.”  (Rom 8:24, 25)

In our Gospel reading, we find the Lord’s teaching of the parable of the mustard seed, in which He compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grows into full maturity and in which the birds of the sky dwell in its branches.  Our reading also provides the parable of the yeast that leavens the bread.  In the parable of the mustard seed, we find that something that is small can be the foundation for something that sustains life.  In the parable of the bread, we find a catalyst for change.

As we continue on our pilgrimage towards the Kingdom of God, St. Paul’s words seem to challenge us to recognize the importance that hope plays in this journey, and perhaps more importantly, the power that is contained within hope, even when it is in short supply.  The presence of the Church in our world is a testament to the power of hope and what it can accomplish.  Through a small group of men and women, the spirit of hope was nurtured into a presence that has changed the course of human events.  If we reflect on the development of the Church, and the humble arrival of Christ in a manger, we should feel confident that the power that is found in our hope will sustain us on our journey.

- John Sperino