October 31, 2017

Oct. 31

October 31, 2017:  Tuesday, 30th week, Ordinary Time

  • 'Dove' pin:  We have the first fruits of the Spirit (1st reading)
  • 'Tree' pin:  Mustard bush... (gospel)
  • 'Birds' tie:  ...in which birds dwelt (gospel)
  • 'Wheat' pin:  God's Kingdom is like yeast mixed with wheat flour (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
Listen
For Respect Life Month
For Reformation Day
For Psalm 126
  • Rom 8:18-25  Today's sufferings are nothing compared with glory to be revealed.  Creation eagerly awaits the freedom of God's children.  We groan as we wait in hope for adoption, redemption.  If we hope, we wait with endurance.
  • Ps 126:1b-6  "The Lord has done marvels for us."  Sow in tears; reap rejoicing.  Go forth weeping; come back rejoicing.
  • Lk 13:18-21  “God's Kingdom is like a mustard seed that became a large bush.  It's like yeast a woman mixed with flour till all the dough was leavened.”
Reflect
    Mustard tree
  • Creighton:  The gospels portray religious leaders in Jesus' time as having dressed themselves in garbs of righteousness while inwardly corrupt, different outside from what Jesus knew was inside.  Jesus gave them a dressing-down.  For Halloween we pretend, dress up. and hiding our identity, but on All Saints we celebrate those who lived authentically, uncostumed.  Today's gospel has two pictures of little becoming large.  These images help us become who we really are.  The mustard seed begins its rise through its wrestling through soil it's buried in.  Its growth is slow and dependent on gifts of sun, rain, and wind.  It reaches beyond itself and in time becomes fruitful.  The reign of God makes much of little, and the little extends its branches for sharing.  Yeast changes flour to bread to nourish others.  Both parables are about humility, honesty, and availability.  Those who keep from from being known keep their potential buried in fear.  Our human experience can be a costume party. The Eucharist raises us in our struggle of disappointment in truth, raising us from pretense to shared Truth....
    Complements Bishop Brennan's article?
  • One Bread, One Body:  "The most important lives":  Because we've been baptized into Christ, have the Trinity living in us, are God's priestly children, are light of the world and salt of the earth, and by faith can do greater works than Jesus, our lives are greatly significant, though they're "hidden with Christ in God." We feel we've "toiled in vain." Though we have the Spirit as first fruits, we groan awaiting redemption of our bodies."  We're discouraged our effects seem seed rather than harvest.  But present sufferings are nothing compared with future glory, in hope we're saved, we must walk by faith, and the Lord will multiply our lives, if we give him our all.  So be encouraged, fear not, pray, work, and rejoice!
  • Passionist:  Trick-or-treaters are from all walks of life, children primarily, filled with excitement at being someone/something else.  It's not too late to be who God wants me to be.  Jesus is the ultimate trick-or-treater, always knocking, so we may open and let him in....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "What's God's kingdom like?":  As a mustard seed grew to be a tree that attracted birds because they loved its seeds, God's kingdom starts from small beginnings in hearts receptive to God, works unseen, and transforms from within.  Leaven is also an agent of change:  when added to dough and heated, rich bread results.  God's kingdom transforms those who receive the life Jesus Christ offers....
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