GIVE THE LORD YOUR YES, AND LEAVE THE REST TO HIM

Beloved parishioners,

Have you ever seen a mustard seed? What was spectacular about it? My first experience of mustard seed was in my home country when people used it as a symbol in praying for something mighty. I suspect that the significance attached to this almost inconsequential seed, as well as the spiritual practice associated with it, comes from the saying of Jesus recorded in St. Mark’s Gospel (4:26-34). It is the smallest of seeds, but when sown blossoms into a mighty shrub. But a shrub is not a tree; it is at best, a bush. Why then did Jesus compare the Kingdom of heaven to this? We must not miss the point. Jesus chose a most humble plant to illustrate the grand theme of the Kingdom of God. In the Hebrew Bible, powerful kingdoms are illustrated with trees that fittingly displayed their majesty. For example, the cosmic tree in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision in Daniel chapter 4, which represented the Babylonian empire. It was large and strong, with its top touching the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of the earth. As scripture puts it, the wild beasts found shade under it, its branches nested the birds of the air; and men ate of it (Daniel 4:8-9). In the vision of Ezekiel, which we hear in the first reading for this weekend, the restoration of the people of Israel after the Babylonian captivity is imaged as a shoot plucked from the crest of a cedar (Babylon) and planted on mountain heights, where it becomes a mastic cedar and birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it.

Jesus uses this unconventional image for the Kingdom of God to show how the long-expected intervention of the reign of God is showing itself in ways that are more ordinary and more present than his listeners had thought or expected. He showed that this Kingdom was beginning here and now with his teaching, healings and table fellowship. And from these small beginnings will grow the worldwide kingdom stemming from Israel as envisioned by the prophets. This parable is not primarily about heaven, but also about God’s reign on earth where people acknowledge God’s kingship over their lives by responding to his invitation to discipleship given by Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God is more present than we think. Though human beings collaborate with God in the planting and tending of the Kingdom, the growth of this Kingdom is not the work of human hands but of divine power and grace. Hence, when the farmer goes about his life, sleeping and rising night and day, this Kingdom never ceases to grow. All the farmer does is to sow, and the growth process is totally out of his control. 

For some months we have prayed and discerned ministries within our parish. Our Ministry Discernment Team has spent tons of hours reflecting on the various ways our parish is called to serve God and neighbor, how we can best be Jesus to everyone. Their work was mostly done without much pomp or fanfare. They have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, even as some of us wondered what might come out of this endeavor. I am particularly grateful to them for the handwork and their generosity in putting their gifts at the service of our community. As they now present us with a Ministries Catalog, I join them in inviting everyone who worships at our parish, everyone who identifies with St. Therese, Little Flower parish, everyone who is a registered parishioner, to consider contributing your part to nurture this “mustard seed” into a mighty shrub by prayerfully considering joining at least two ministries. Everyone of us has received the Holy Spirit at our Baptism and Confirmation, and we have received gifts which we are meant to share with others. You have gifts to share; and our parish can benefit from your gifts. All the Lord is asking is your “Yes” and he is able to make a mighty shrub or tree out of your little efforts. As D.L. Moody says, “Give your life to God; he can do more with than you can.”

May Jesus bless you, and may Our Lady protect you!