God and His kingdom often follow the dynamics of the mustard seed and the yeast in today’s gospel parables:

small, subtle, almost invisible; but they keep transforming the world around.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel”

“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

Romans 8:18-25

I consider that the suffering of

Our present life cannot be compared with the glory that will be revealed and given to us. All creation is eagerly expecting the birth in glory of the children of God. For if now the created world was unable to attain its purpose, this did not come from itself, but from the one who subjected it. But it is not without hope; for even the created world will be freed from this fate of death and share the freedom and glory of the children of God..

 

 

We know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pangs of birth. Not creation alone, but even ourselves, although the Spirit was given to us as a foretaste of what we are to receive, we groan in our innermost being, eagerly awaiting the day when God will give us full rights and rescue our bodies as well.

 

In hope we already have salvation. But if we saw what we hoped for, there would no longer be hope: how can you hope for what is already seen? So we hope for what we do not see and we will receive it through patient hope.

 

Ps 126:1b-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5,6 The Lord has done marvels for us,

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊      

Luke 13:18-21

And Jesus continued, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? Imagine a person who has taken a mustard seed and planted it in the garden. The seed has grown and become like a small tree, so that the birds of the air shelter in its branches." And Jesus said again, "What is the kingdom of God like? Imagine a woman who has taken yeast, and hidden it in three measures of flour, until it is all leavened."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Disciples are called to hope."

Hope is the most underappreciated of the theological virtues. People wrote books about faith and we offer classes to help people grow in their understanding of God and his Church. We treasure love, striving each day to love more like Jesus, pouring ourselves out for our brothers and sisters. But those who have hope are called dreamers and laughed at for being too optimistic. It's far more popular to be cynical and expect the worst.

 

But disciples are called to hope. We know that something better awaits. Exactly what awaits is beyond our imagination because it will allow us to share in the very life of God. Even when things seem to be at their worst, we know that something better is waiting. In Jesus, salvation has already been accomplished. We were created to spend eternity with God. That has always been our true destination. In hope, we wait for the day that our journey ends.