October 27, 2009
Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
By Beth DeCristofaro
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. (Romans 8:22-23)
Jesus 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
I seek to do your will, Lord. Leaven me with your courage, grow in me the resolve to bring into flower your presence in the world within me. May each day bring me closer to you. Amen
Study
In Romans we learn that God’s forgiveness and mercy is extended without reservation and without our need to earn it. That astounding truth leads us to realize the complete freedom and responsibility God is offering to us: forgiveness is already ours and we can do with it what we want. We don’t have to measure our conduct by the threat of punishment or what might be the level of reward we attain. We can choose to follow in the ways of God without duress. Paul’s image of the groaning of creation speaks to the indwelling presence of God which we have been offered.
So it rests on us to renew our commitment each moment and each day. This is a sacred trust, an enormity and a blessing. However, in Jesus we have a model of what God anticipates from us, His beloved creations. And Jesus offers us the compelling image of the woman, humble in her day to day task. She is fulfilling her duty as woman, homemaker and most likely mother and wife – perhaps even matriarch. Her duty is life-giving. She is making bread, staple of life, and she will offer to herself and others. Bread is a wonderful image for the growing, overflowing of God’s life and love within which we can share by fulfilling our duty as God’s Chosen. We can say “yes” by each moment and each day and God multiplies that “yes” as it rises and overflows like yeast or like the blossoming mustard seed.
Action
How are we consciously saying “yes” each day to God. Is the yeast in our hearts leading to actions which reflect God in the world? This being Hallowe’en week, the night when the “veil between the worlds is thin”, take a moment to contemplate how we buy and dispense candy to children who safely (for the most part) visit within neighborhoods and towns in spite of the cold and dark. Consider making a donation to your favorite charity (does your parish have a food bank?) for children who have neither candy nor safety.
CRS: For USA information: http://crs.org/act/participate.cfm
For global relief: http://donate.crs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=mg_emergency
UNICEF http://www.unicef.org/support/14884.html
