Tuesday, October 29, 2002
30th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Eph 5:21-33
Gospel: Lk 13:18-21
Jesus
said, "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."
Commentary
Some years back I made a long pilgrimage by foot. The road was hard. I was feeling tired. I finally arrived at the inn. Other pilgrims were arriving. We didn't know each other. But there was a person in charge of the inn. She was welcoming us and attending to our needs. To some she gave a bucket of water for their tired feet. Others were requested to help prepare the meals. And she succeeded into changing a group of strangers into a family sharing a simple meal around a common table. At that moment, I remembered the parable of the mustard seed. I prayed for our Christian communities that they also would have this ability of hospitality and welcome.