Romans 8:18-25, Ps. 126, Luke 13:18-21
“It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree.” (Luke 13:19)
One does not suddenly become a saint or a sinner overnight. The journey of a thousand miles begins with just one tiny and often insignificant step. It is not the size of the first step that matters but the direction to which that step is pointed. Jesus tells us today that The Kingdom of God begins as a single grain of mustard seed that is planted.
The story of Christianity is the greatest miracle in human history and it is still an ongoing miracle. How Jesus Christ called to himself twelve men (who were not the best as far as human reckoning is concerned, one even betrayed him) and started what has now become a worldwide movement is a mystery.
It takes faith to begin a new habit, to start a new book, to begin a new act of holiness, etc. All that God demands of us is just to take that first step, to do what is right at this very moment while we leave the rest for Him. That good deed is the grain of mustard seed, it is the yeast which leavens whole quantities of flour.
The truth is that the most difficult part of a journey is the first step. Taking that first step could mean breaking an old habit, spending one hour daily with the Bible, ending a relationship (plucking out our eyes as Jesus would say). It might even mean cutting off a source of income like the case of Peter the fisherman who had to quit a thriving business to start fishing for men. That first step is always clouded with suffering.
In our first reading today, St. Paul says, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18). St. Paul goes further to compare our sufferings as Christians with the labour pains of a woman who is about to give birth to a child. Hope is no longer hope if we are seeing what we are hoping for. Don’t give up.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to do what is right now even if it is the most painful option for the sake of your kingdom. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 30 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Romans 8:18-25, Ps. 126, Luke 13:18-21)