The Feast of St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ | Tuesday 31 October 2023

Today is Tuesday 31 October, the feast of St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ, in the 30th week of Ordinary time.

Eliza King sings, ‘All Things New’. As you listen, can you reflect for a moment on all that God is making new in your life…in creation… in those around you…


You break like the light of the sun
Bringing colour to shadows
Christ, it was you all along
You’re the words of an ancient song, we’ve been singing
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
You rise, as the bright morning star
We were blind but we see you now
The light of the world here with us
You’re a fire making holy ground, by your spirit
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
You’re the treasure of the ages
Sought for generations
How the prophets longed to see what we have seen
You’re the final word incarnate
Leaping from the pages
You’re the burning heart behind the mystery
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new
Behold, He makes all things new

Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans.

Romans 8:18-25

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in[ hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Paul is here constructing an argument for the Roman Christians, to help them believe that God really is in charge and knows what he is doing. He knows that they are “suffering”, but that a greater glory is “about to be revealed” to them. Imagine you are receiving this letter, hearing it for the first time…what is your immediate reaction?

Paul speaks of “the freedom of the glory of the children of God”. What do you think this might mean to the Roman Christians? What does it mean to you today?

Now listen as the passage is read once more for you. Is there a word, or a phrase, that you feel might be spoken to you today?

Finally, just look back over all your reactions to this remarkable passage, and see if you can put them together in a prayer that expresses where you are.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.