Daily Retreat 10/30/07
2007 Oct 30 Tue
Rom 8: 18-25/ Ps 125(126): 1b-2ab. 2cd-3. 4-5. 6/ Lk 13: 18-21
From today’s readings: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.... The Lord has done marvels for us.... The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden....”
Panoramic perspective of the fullness of faith
As mentioned before, the letter to the Romans is Paul’s longest, and by many standards, his greatest epistle. Many people consider this chapter eight their favorite part of Romans, because in these verses especially, at the midpoint and heart of the epistle, Paul boldly pulls out all the stops in presenting the advantages of Christian faith, and his ecstasy can be contagious if we attentively follow Paul’s lead in coming to accept and appreciate Christ’s universal and saving role in the center of all time and creation.
That is why, in spite of his persecutions and hardships, Paul can even make the incredible claim, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us....” If you take the time to gaze awhile at the stars at night, the vastness of the universe necessarily offers a broader perspective to consider the horizons and significance of whatever problems and difficulties you find yourself faced with at the present moment. Likewise, when our panorama includes the perspective of the fullness of faith, even significant sufferings of this present time are seen as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed....
Rom 8: 18-25/ Ps 125(126): 1b-2ab. 2cd-3. 4-5. 6/ Lk 13: 18-21
From today’s readings: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.... The Lord has done marvels for us.... The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden....”
Panoramic perspective of the fullness of faith
As mentioned before, the letter to the Romans is Paul’s longest, and by many standards, his greatest epistle. Many people consider this chapter eight their favorite part of Romans, because in these verses especially, at the midpoint and heart of the epistle, Paul boldly pulls out all the stops in presenting the advantages of Christian faith, and his ecstasy can be contagious if we attentively follow Paul’s lead in coming to accept and appreciate Christ’s universal and saving role in the center of all time and creation.
That is why, in spite of his persecutions and hardships, Paul can even make the incredible claim, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us....” If you take the time to gaze awhile at the stars at night, the vastness of the universe necessarily offers a broader perspective to consider the horizons and significance of whatever problems and difficulties you find yourself faced with at the present moment. Likewise, when our panorama includes the perspective of the fullness of faith, even significant sufferings of this present time are seen as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed....
posted by FrPitstick | 10/29/2007
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