Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
(Romans 8:18-25; Luke 13:18-21)
The sixty-two-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 glorified 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.
