THE MOST IMPORTANT LIVES
“Hoping for what we cannot see means awaiting it with patient endurance.” –Romans 8:25
Mass Readings: October 31
First: Romans 8:18-25; Resp: Psalm 126:1-6;Gospel: Luke 13:18-21
Listen to the Mass Readings
Because we:
- have been baptized into Christ (Rm 6:3),
- have the Trinity living within us (see Jn 17:23),
- are royal, priestly children of God (Rm 8:16; 1 Pt 2:9),
- are the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Mt 5:13-14), and
- by faith can do greater works than Jesus did (Jn 14:12),
our lives are of great significance for the whole world for all times.
Nevertheless, our lives are “hidden now with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). We feel as if we have “toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent” our strength (Is 49:4). “We ourselves, although we have the Spirit as First Fruits, groan inwardly while we await the redemption of our bodies” (Rm 8:23). The effects of our lives seem a tiny seed rather than a harvest (see Lk 13:19). We feel discouraged.
However, the truth is that:
- “The sufferings of the present” are “nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us” (Rm 8:18).
- In hope we are “saved. But hope is not hope if its object is seen” (Rm 8:24).
- We must “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7).
- The Lord will multiply our little lives, if we give Him our “all” (see Mk 6:34ff; 8:1ff).
Therefore, be encouraged. Do not fear. Pray and work. “Rejoice in the Lord!” (Phil 4:4) Jesus may be coming back at any moment!
PRAYER: Father, I offer my life and my body to You as a living sacrifice (Rm 12:1).
PROMISE: “Indeed, the whole created world eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God.” –Rm 8:19
PRAISE: Robert repented of listening to unclean and degrading jokes.
