The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/103018.cfm)
reminds me that God can turn our small offerings into big blessings.
They
say that great things start from small beginnings. That is true. As
we look in our lives, we know that we all started small. We were
born a baby, not knowing anything on our own. Even Jesus, the Son of God, was
born as a baby. It was God’s love and protection, through other
people, that got us where we are today. No matter how much one achieves in
life, that person started small. And it is by God’s love and grace, not by
human power, intelligence, influence and connections, that one is able to
achieve things.
in
the gospel, we see Jesus telling us something similar. The mustard seed and
yeast are small. Yet they eventually affect a lot. The mustard seed grew into a
huge tree, and the yeast affected the flour. They were able to do great things
and accomplish a lot, even if they started small. Whatever they accomplished,
they started small.
Small
things can accomplish great things with God’s blessing.
We
may feel simple and normal, but that will not stop God from using us mightily.
Mustard seed. Yeast. Simple stuff. Small stuff. But eventually did great
things. This is what God does. He turns what we have, the simple that we have,
and multiplies it. He turns it to something great. He blesses us so we can
bless others and build God's kingdom.
God’s
kingdom is also like this. Jesus was explaining to his disciples what the kingdom
of God is like. It is like a small mustard seed that grew into a huge
tree. It is like yeast that affected the flour. During that time, it may seem
small, since they were the only ones working for it. But Jesus is telling
them that in God’s perfect time, God’s kingdom will be
immensely huge, bigger than what they can imagine. I believe this also
applies to us right now. Looking at the world, God’s kingdom may seem so small.
People are busy with achieving and accomplishing a lot, especially with all the
advancements and technology in place. We put very small importance on God’s kingdom
since we really cannot feel it, unlike things on this world. However, in his
perfect time, we will realize how huge God’s kingdom really is.
How do I see myself? Do I look down on myself because I
feel insignificant and too simple, with nothing special to offer to the world?
Am I too proud with all my achievements and accomplishments? What is God
telling me today?
May we learn to trust in God,
that he will magnify whatever little we can offer, especially as we work for
His kingdom.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the reminder.
Lord, sorry for losing my focus on you. Sorry for allowing myself to be
distracted by the world and what it has to offer. Sorry for being too busy and
focused on achieving worldly things. Sorry for ignoring you. sorry for thinking
that I would have the time to work for your kingdom later on. Lord, I ask that
you help me put things in perspective. Help me have faith in you, however small
like a mustard seed. I know that even if I have just a tiny bit of faith and
knowledge of you, you will help me grow it, so I would always be aware of your
kingdom, work for your kingdom, and prepare for your coming to this world.
Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
October
30, 2018
Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week
in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 480
Lectionary: 480
Reading 1 EPH
5:21-33
Brothers
and sisters:
Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.
For the husband is head of his wife
just as Christ is head of the Church,
he himself the savior of the Body.
As the Church is subordinate to Christ,
so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the Church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the Church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the Church,
because we are members of his Body.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.
In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself,
and the wife should respect her husband.
Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.
For the husband is head of his wife
just as Christ is head of the Church,
he himself the savior of the Body.
As the Church is subordinate to Christ,
so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the Church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the Church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the Church,
because we are members of his Body.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.
In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself,
and the wife should respect her husband.
Responsorial Psalm PS 128:1-2, 3,
4-5
R.
(1a) Blessed are those who fear the
Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear 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 LK 13:18-21
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.'"
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."
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."
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