Written by Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P.
Readings from: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102720.cfm
Today we heard 2 parables about small things, a mustard seed and yeast, and the power and potential of small beginnings. Jesus told these parables not to world leaders or great statesmen, but to a simple group of uneducated fishermen, tax collectors and ordinary women who were being called to change hearts. Consider how they felt. Perhaps unsure… Certainly scared… Did they have what it took? Would they be successful? But Jesus knew their hearts, so how comforting and full of hope these parables must have been for them. From their humble efforts in a very small corner of the world, that little band of disciples started telling others about their friend Jesus.
We are here today because of them. They planted the mustard seed of Christianity, and it has massively grown. In the same way, the kingdom of God will come to be in all its glory through the power of the Spirit and our own witness.
Wilber Wilberforce, the British politician who lived in the mid 1800’s and for 26 years lead the cause of finally abolishing the slave trade there, had this to say about small beginnings:
Things great have small beginnings.
Every downpour is just a raindrop;
Every fire is just a spark;
every harvest is just a seed;
every journey is just a step because
without that step there will be no journey;
without that raindrop there can be no shower;
without that seed there can be no harvest.
What lessons can we take away from these parables today? First, as seemingly insignificant as we may feel, or as limiting as our circumstances now are, God will use us in ways we can’t imagine in order to continue the work of bringing about the kingdom. There’s always room for kindness, forgiveness, words of encouragement, and a good deed that will show a glimpse of God’s kingdom to someone. In what ways, and in what places, can we do just a little bit today that might have a profound impact for someone?
Second is a reminder that God will do the work; it’s not up to us. We just need to trust the quiet working of His Spirit. We can’t ignore opportunities or make excuses because we think we are just a "little seed". Not so. Rather, God invites us to remember that in His hand, even the smallest thing we do with love can bring an eternal return.
