Tuesday of the
Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
(Romans 8:18-25; Luke 13:18-21)
The 62-year old worker talked of retirement. He was suffering from two arthritic knees
that needed replacement. He also had a
pinched nerve in his shoulder. It was
obviously painful for the man to do a full day’s work. Many people have difficulty growing old. Even trusting Christians like St. Paul begin
to wonder when they see their bodies failing.
Paul writes of all creation “groaning in labor pains.” It waits patiently for the redemption promised
by the resurrection of Jesus. Humans,
made in the image of God, have the most to hope for. They will assume spiritual bodies like their
Redeemer’s that will not age or experience pain.
Two thousand years is a long time to have waited for
redemption. But who is to say that it
will not take another two thousand or perhaps two million years? In the meantime we, given the firstfruits of
the Holy Spirit, keep the faith. We love
our neighbor and care for the poor. Most
of all, we thank God for our blessings and pray for our needs. It is a good life that will be glorified when Christ
returns
