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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for October 31, 2017

THE MOST IMPORTANT LIVES

"Hoping for what we cannot see means awaiting it with patient endurance." –Romans 8:25

Because we:

• have been baptized into Christ (Rm 6:3),
• have the Trinity living within us (see Jn 17:23),
• are royal, priestly children of God (Rm 8:16; 1 Pt 2:9),
• are the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Mt 5:13-14), and
• by faith can do greater works than Jesus did (Jn 14:12),

our lives are of great significance for the whole world for all times.

Nevertheless, our lives are "hidden now with Christ in God" (Col 3:3). We feel as if we have "toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent" our strength (Is 49:4). "We ourselves, although we have the Spirit as First Fruits, groan inwardly while we await the redemption of our bodies" (Rm 8:23). The effects of our lives seem a tiny seed rather than a harvest (see Lk 13:19). We feel discouraged.

However, the truth is that:

• "The sufferings of the present" are "nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us" (Rm 8:18).
• In hope we are "saved. But hope is not hope if its object is seen" (Rm 8:24).
• We must "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7).
• The Lord will multiply our little lives, if we give Him our "all" (see Mk 6:34ff; 8:1ff).

Therefore, be encouraged. Do not fear. Pray and work. "Rejoice in the Lord!" (Phil 4:4) Jesus may be coming back at any moment!

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Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College