Waiting with Endurance

Homily for Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

All of creation, St. Paul’s states, was made subject to futility. Consequently, while we must struggle against the effects of sin in our world, the natural world is also suffering these same effects. With this idea, St. Paul contends that just as we suffer in this world, nature itself also suffers the effects of sin. It also follows that because the sufferings of the present are nothing compared to the glory that we will experience in heaven, the same can be said for all of creation.

What is this glory? It is the very Kingdom of God. While it has begun here on earth, its fullness and the redemption of our bodies is yet to come. There is a great freedom in this: knowing we are already baptized into Christ’s reign, we are in the world but not of the world. The Lord has chosen us for himself, set aside our rebellion and slavery to sin, and sent his Son to us to reconcile us to himself and be freed from eternal death. Yes, we suffer pain, separation, grief, and death in this life; but it is not all there is nor is it the end.

The Lord has given us his Son, and the Kingdom; he has done great things for us and we are glad indeed! For who would not find joy and gratitude in knowing that we can use and enjoy the goodness of creation – even amid trials – because there is something even greater that awaits us.

It can be hard to understand this when we experience the death of a loved one, undergo severe hardship, or suffer infirmity and illness. Consequently, into our imperfect understanding Jesus interjects images – parables – to help us. The mustard seed is tiny, yet it grows into a large bush or tree. A small amount of yeast will leaven a large amount of flour.

In coming to this table, we admit to our belief in what God has promised. With our “Amen,” we signal our assent to walk this road to the reign of God and to be nourished here to endure whatever bumps in the road we may encounter along the way. God has given us hope, and so we wait with endurance.