Small Beginnings, Greater Ends

 

 Mark 4: 26-34

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. ²⁸ All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. ²⁹ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. ³² Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

³³ With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. ³⁴ He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

 Our small deeds of kindness, our simple :"presence" with a friend or someones in need, the common, the unspectacular, the everyday routine, these are not the things that make the headlines, but they are what constitute to our dowry, our legacy.  These are what add up and bring with us as we stand before God who will ask, "And what have you done with  the gifts I gave you? How have you used the tools I put in your tool box,? How have you lived your life? These two parables remind us that we all don't have to be a Rembrandt or A George Washington, but simple people who put whatever gifts they have at the disposal of God, and as small as they might  seem in our sight, they are capable of making a lasting contribution to the building up of God's kingdom.  May we never underestimate the power of the small.

Bro. Rene

O God, help us grow in holiness and peace. Without your heavenly nourishment, we are bound to wilt and wither. With the aid your Son’s example, we shall grow a hundred fold in all that enriches your kingdom, now and forever. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

Rev. LeRoy E. Clementich, C.S.C.