Today’s WORD (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/103012.cfm) reminds me of a reflection I made two years ago =)
Ang galing ni God =)
In Christ,
-g-
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Good Tuesday morning my dear SE 17! =) Sharing with you the gospel for today http://www.usccb.org/nab/102610.shtml
Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”
Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
It is like yeast that a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
The gospel reminds me of how things start small. A mustard seed is a very small seed, yet when it’s fully grown, it becomes a very large tree. Same goes with us. We are simple human beings – but when we allow ourselves to be used by God, we can do great things for him and through him. We may sometimes feel we are insignificant, or our role / talent is too small. This gospel is a reminder for us to let God do his work in our lives, and he will change our smallness to greatness.
What does this entail? How can our little faith, little good thing, little actions, little talents be great and be used for God’s work? We need to let go. We need to die of ourselves, and accept that by ourselves, we cannot do anything. We need to let God take control of our lives, and use us whatever way he wants. When do we do it? Daily. Always. Letting God use us is not a one time, big time thing. We constantly need to surrender to God and allow him to use us.
Preparing for the SE 18 weekend entails this daily letting go and letting God. We cannot do this task if we just prepare for it a day or two before. We need to take little steps, baby steps, to prepare ourselves as we serve. We need to allow God, in little ways, to use us and take control of our lives. Remember, great things start from small beginnings.
BTW,
Sharing another reflection with you =)
YESTERDAYS MAKE OUR TOMORROWS!
The parable of the mustard seed may refer to anything, anyone or any situation that credits successes or achievements to simple and tiny beginnings. Here, Jesus was referring to the Church He was building that would journey towards the Kingdom of God. Beginning with the Apostles, He planned to proclaim the Good News to all the world. He likened the Christian community that He was establishing to the tiny mustard seed that has all the potential to grow at an unimaginable size.
Saints are not saints because of one act of martyrdom or charity. No one becomes a martyr overnight. The martyrs, before that critical moment of decision, first lived a good life and developed a faith and love for God. So much so that when the time came, they were led to that decision to offer their lives in faith. Even Mary, the Mother of Jesus, did not say, “Thy will be done!” out of the blue. She was graced by God, but she also disposed herself for that grace. God prepared her for the big moment, but she prepared herself by living her faith.
The stair analogy is very appropriate here. A high staircase is impossible to climb with one big step. It is easiest to climb it if you take one step at a time. The impossible and the difficult may be conquered by small steps, small victories, small deeds or small actions. Life works in the same way. We are able to hurdle difficult moments in our lives because we were triumphant in the small ones. That is why we must welcome little challenges. And when we are able to hurdle small challenges, the big ones look smaller!
The Lord Jesus saw that His Church will encounter a lot of challenges from the enemy. The parable is a reminder to the early Christian community that there is nothing they could not defeat. Not only because the Spirit will be with them, but that they had been gradually fortified by their daily triumphs of faith. The long history of the Catholic Church will show that. For the Church, it was not always laurels and roses. There were also thorns, failures and dark times. There were lots of small and big challenges to a life of faith. But every time, She would rise up in faith. Her destiny is the Kingdom. Jesus made sure it would be so. Fr. Benny Tuazon
Reflection Question:
How do you see the difficult challenges that come your way? Do you see them as obstacles or as stepping stones to the Kingdom of God? Do you prepare yourself to face them victoriously in Christ?
I can never overcome without Your guiding grace, Lord. Help me keep growing in my faith in You.
St. Lucian, pray for us.
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