+ There are many reasons why you can often find one word that well describes or even sums up a particular passage from the scriptures.
Today is a perfect example of that.
Hope! There it is.
Paul almost seems like he is in a trance as he describes the power of hope and how that carries us in trust and in faith.
It is so not only because the whole passage is about that, but also because within only eight verses, Paul uses the word hope six times; four of those times are within one verse alone.
He has clear purpose in his repetition, as he clearly wants to almost pound this into our heads.
And for Paul, hope is not some kind of flimsy, wishy-washy feeling; but, again, a profound trust that even in suffering, we can and must hope.
Our God is always there. Our God is determined to save. Our God will bring us to glory. Our God will turn our “groans” into songs.
+Jesus, in his own way, talks about the kingdom of God in much the same way.
And he describes it as something that starts in such a tiny way, but then grows and develops and can affect not only ourselves but others through us.
Jesus describes the kingdom of God not as a place, but as a reality and relationship; and power and life that becomes more and more within us, among us, through us, and for us.
We actually can become a kingdom people. And like all parables, they are a way of getting at truth so that that truth can come alive in us and for us.
+ Finally, it must be noted that both hope and kingdom-ness are realities that are best when they are appreciated, noticed, sought after, encouraged, and shared.
Do we do all of that with our hope and kingdom-ness?
Are these realities for us that truly give us life and allow that life to flow into and through us for others?
Hopefully, we can truly hope for this to be true more and more each day!
Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.
