The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012717.cfm)
reminds me that I should
be focused on sowing seeds for God's kingdom and not on seeing the effects of
our actions.
It is normal for people to want
to see the output of their efforts. I believe this is the reason why community
building outreach activities are so popular. Institutions like “habitat for
humanity” and “gawad kalinga” who give people the chance of seeing the
immediate output of their actions are supported very well. After working for a
day, volunteers get to see the output – be it hollow blocks or other materials
being moved from one place to another, a house being painted or walls buing
built – these things give a sense of fulfillment and joy, knowing that the
effort spent was not put to waste. However, it is not always like this
when we are doing God’s work.
In the gospel, we see that the
man would just sow the seeds, and he does not know how these seeds grow and
bear fruit. He does not know what happens inside the soil, he just sows seeds.
What happens to the seeds, inside the soil, and the fruits it will bear are all
dependent on God - what God wants to happen according to his perfect plans. His
power, not our efforts. His plans, not ours.
We should be focused on sowing seeds for God's kingdom and not
on seeing the effects of our actions.
We may not always see the
effects of our service to God. We may not always get good results. However,
these things should not dishearten us and prevent us from doing God’s work,
from planting seeds.
God needs workers to plant seeds of faith. God needs our help to
spread his word.
We do not need to see the
effects of our actions. We do not need to know that the seeds bore fruit. We
should not seek comfort and approval from the output of our work, because
everything is dependent on God’s time and plan, not ours. We should just focus
on God as we do his work, and have complete faith that our work for Him is not
futile. We may not see the effects but it does not mean God is not pleased with
us, that our actions were not effective. We may think we are doing small things
for him, but the mustard seed in the gospel reminds us that little things done
for Him can be turned into something good. Something big. Something great.
May
we continue to sow seeds of faith without the need to see the effects of our
actions.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another reminder. Thank
you for the opportunity to continue to sow seeds of faith to others around me.
sorry for the times I look for and focus on the results of my actions. Sorry
for wanting validation and affirmation. Lord, guide me so I wont be too focused
on the results, on the fruits of the seeds. Remind me that those seeds would
bear fruit, not necessarily in my time, but definitely in your perfect time.
May I just continue to sow seeds of faith and focus on you as I work for you,
knowing in faith that my work for you will always bear fruit. Use the little I
have and turn it into something that would give you great glory. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
January 27, 2017
Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 321
Reading 1 Heb 10:32-39
you endured a great contest of suffering.
At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction;
at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.
You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison
and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property,
knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence;
it will have great recompense.
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.
For, after just a brief moment,
he who is to come shall come;
he shall not delay.
But my just one shall live by faith,
and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him.
We are not among those who draw back and perish,
but among those who have faith and will possess life.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Alleluia Mt 11:25
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 4:26-34
"This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come."
He said,
"To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade."
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
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