The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020119.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 first part of 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. We should just remember that no good work, especially if done
for God, is futile.
What
are the things I do for God? Why do I do these things? Do I enjoy the success
or affirmation, or is it because I know these are the things God wants me to
do? Do I focus on the outcome, or just on obeying God?
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-
February 1 2019
Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 321
Lectionary: 321
Reading
1 HEB 10:32-39
Remember
the days past when, after you had been enlightened,
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.
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
R.
(39a) The salvation of the just comes
from the Lord.
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.
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 SEE
MT 11:25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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
Jesus
said to the crowds:
"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.
"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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