SMALL BUT MIGHTY
Exodus 32:15-24,30-34, Ps.106:19-23, Matthew 13:31-35
Jesus preached about the kingdom and its proximity during the course of his earthly ministry. Jesus used different images and parables to speak to the people about the kingdom and how we should conduct ourselves in order to enter into this kingdom. Today’s gospel presents us with two of such parables: the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matt.13:31-32) and the Parable of the Yeast (Matt.13:33).
The mustard seed is small but produces a big shrub. Bread is flat unless yeast is added to make it rise. Do not be discouraged with small beginnings. You might be small but you got the potential for grateness. Think about a computer chip, a diamond or a bullet. Tap into it and manifest. Mustard seed means that with one faithful believer the whole world can start believing. For unfaithfulness, the Lord dejected the people of Israel in the first reading. Similarly, the Psalm noted “They forgot the God who was their saviour, who had done such great things in Egypt, such portents in the land of Ham, such marvels at the Red Sea” (Ps.106:21-22). Be faithful to God and you shall grow and glow.
St Ignatius of Loyola, whose memorial we celebrate today, calls us to be open to God’s word through a 30-day retreat popularly called Ignatian retreat. This retreat is designed for four weeks; each week with a basic goal. Week one: to “reform the deformed”— Week two: to “conform the reformed”—Week three: to “confirm the conformed”—Week four: to “transform the confirmed”. Beloved, are you deformed spiritually, psychologically or emotionally? Are you crippled by guilt, fear and shame? Kindly seek help and meet your spiritual director. If we are open to God’s word and abide by his instructions for at least 30 days we shall experience transformation. St Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
LET US PRAY
O God, who raised up Saint Ignatius of Loyola in your Church to further the greater glory of your name, grant that by his help we may imitate him in fighting the good fight on earth and merit to receive with him a crown in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
