Wait With Endurance

October 30, 2007

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

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. Romans 8:24-25

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." Luke 13:20-21

Piety

Let us get up then, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Romans 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge: If you hear His voice today, do not harden your hearts (Psalm 95)

From the “Prologue” to the Rule of St. Benedict, Verses 8-10

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/103007.shtml

How do you describe the indescribable?

Today, two parables, the mustard seed and the leavened wheat, attempt to describe the future impact of the kingdom of God. From “deceptively small beginning” in a manager in Bethlehem, from equally deceptive small beginnings of the preaching and healing ministry of Jesus two thousand years ago, a worldwide church has been born.

Yet this church has not been fulfilled…yet.

St. Paul reminds us that we are a “waiting” people. We are waiting for the mustard bush to grow. We are waiting for the bread dough in the oven to rise. We are waiting for Justice to walk on the face of the earth again.

St. Paul reminds us that we are an “enduring” people. We are enduring the pain of disease in our bodies and dis-ease in our minds. We are enduring the pain of temptation in our souls and the agony of neglect in our communities. We are enduring the sin of wars – the endless war on poverty, the endless war on terrorism, the endless war on each other.

St. Paul reminds us that we are a “hope-filled” people. “For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God.” We wait 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 ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”

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. Romans 8:24-25

Action

What are you waiting for? There is much work to do while waiting, while enduring, while hoping. It is high time we arise from the slumber of life and pay attention to what the Lord demands.

What work do you need to do in your community?

What work do you need to do in your church?

What work do you need to do on yourself?