“The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants.” (Mt 13:31-32).
God can do so much with so little. This is so because even the smallest detail is important to God. Just think of the immensity, not only of our solar system and galaxy but the whole cosmos. Despite the grandiosity and massive expanse of all creation, not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without the notice of God. Even all the hairs of our head he has counted (cf Mt 10:29-30). Our life, who we are, and who we are becoming matters to God.
This closeness Jeremiah reveals in the first reading, “as close as the loincloth clings to a man’s loins, so had I made the house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 13:11). The idea of a loincloth may be an outdated reference, maybe a pair of skinny jeans or spandex sweats might better make the point.
Jesus has been presenting parables regarding small beginnings such as, seed sown in a field, a mustard seed, and yeast which all allude to how God begins small and often hidden to fulfill his plan of salvation. What God begins, he will bring to fruition. The gathering in of the nations is an Old Testament theme that Ezekiel especially highlights when he shares that God will break off and plant a tender cedar shoot and from this small shoot it will become a, “majestic cedar. Every small bird will nest under it, all kinds of winged birds will dwell in the shade of its branches” (Ezekiel 17:22-23). God has a plan for the unity of all of humanity and creation and Jesus is inviting us to be a part of the collaborative effort.
God builds up his kingdom one person at a time and sows his seeds of divine grace which is a movement of the outpouring of his divine love. He watches over us, his children, and shares his life with us. We can accept or reject this love which falls afresh upon us like the morning dew upon the grass. When we accept, remain still, and abide in the reality that God loves us we, will be saturated by his love. When we say yes to the outpouring of God’s love and abide there, resting in the truth that we are beloved daughters and sons is no mere cliché. As we experience and savor this nourishing gift of God’s love, our identity is secured and nothing and no one can shake that truth.
Abiding and saturated in God’s love, we will come to realize that we receive an unending supply of God’s love to offer others. As we give love, we receive more in return. Our smallest thoughts, words, or deeds, and facial gestures make significant differences to those on the receiving end of God’s love flowing through us. We have an opportunity today to think, speak, and act as bearers of our loving God and Father. We can share a smile, a word of encouragement, a wave, and/or a hug, send a text, and/or just follow through on the the myriad stirrings from the Holy Spirit and offer a simple act of love. No matter how small a sharing, it will mean more than we will ever know or can even imagine to the one who receives.
Photo: Recipient of a small act of love from a surprise dinner visit a few months ago.
Spiritual Stepping Stones 