From the Mustard Seed

Yesterday while making an appeal for the Marist Missions, I did a quick review of the growth of the Marist Brothers.  From the two seeds sown in Lavalla on January 2, 1817, our first two brothers,  the Little Brothers of Mary have grown to 3,330 in 80 countries with 760,000 students in our care and 73,000 lay collaborators (Lay Marists).  The faith of St. Marcellin and his reliance on Jesus and Mary enabled those seeds to bear such astounding and widespread fruit.  Jesus was not kidding when he said about the mustard seed, "It is the smallest of seeds yet when full grown, it is the largest of plants." (Matt 13: 32)
If we look at ourselves as a "mustard seed," we might at first be discouraged:  "what can I do that will make any difference to anyone?"  Not so, with faith and trust in God, we can contribute to the growth of the kingdom by simple acts of kindness, by a smile, a thank you or a promise of prayers.
After one of the Masses yesterday, I met two young men who initially appeared to be at two opposite ends of the spectrum:  One, tall, in excellent physical condition, indeed he is a senior at The Citadel and will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the army next June; the other, a very heavy man with a long beard, tattoos all over and a pierced nostril.  The tall man told me his faith is the most important thing in his life. and I told him I would add him to my prayer list so that his faith may remain strong in what he'll be facing in the future.  The other man is searching, being stripped down by God but believes God is calling him to prepare for ministry to youth. His appearance should give him a ready welcome among them, and then, whamo, what a surprise they'll find behind the cover of this book. We bonded instantly and with a hug and promise of prayers, I left him.  I know in my heart that those two simple encounters helped to fortify these  young men as they pursue God's plan for them.  It's not rocket science...it's simply responding to God's grace.  Just Do It.
Bro. Rene