The WORD today 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.
This pandemic, problem seems to be so huge. Everyone is affected. And we don’t see how our actions can help other people. But God can. Like the mustard seed and yeast, he can turn our small actions to help others into a bigger blessing. He has the power. We just need to trust in him. And of course, we just have to do our part, no matter how simple or little we may feel.
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 27, 2020
Tuesday of Week 30; Blessed Contardo Ferrini
FIRST READING
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
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
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
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.”
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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