Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by GMC
30th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday (Year II)
Ephesians 5:21-33; Luke 13:18-21
In challenging times when the world seems to be falling apart, a tiny mustard seed of faith is more powerful than all negative forces combined.
Mathematics, the art of the quantifiable, is inapplicable to the spiritual realm. One holy saint has more leverage with heaven than millions who are rebellious or indifferent.
Thus God listened to Abraham’s plea on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16:33). He listened to Moses who interceded for the worshippers of the golden calf (Exodus 32:11-14). In Israel’s battle against Amalek, not military strategy or battalions, but the arms of Moses continually raised in prayer wrought victory (Exodus 17:11).
In history’s darkest hour, when God was pronounced “dead” on the hill of Golgotha, Mary, the Mother of God, Mary of Clopas, Mary Magdalene, and John the Beloved stood firm in faith at the foot of the Cross (John 19:25-27). From the Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost to the present time, the mustard seed of faith and grace has been growing in spite of hostility and skepticism.
The Holy Spirit living and active in the tabernacles of the saints is the seed and leaven of the Church.
Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.” Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
Luke 13:18-21
The Spirit works like leaven in hidden and mysterious ways, preparing the Bride for the wedding feast of heaven. Christ the Bridegroom “loved the Church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the Church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
We join the saints and the flowering tree of grace by prayer and charity.
Thank you for your reflection. Gives me hope that greater devotion can grow from a humble faith. As I learn how to pray anew with you and Father Victor, I can perceive the seed Within. Thank you both for sharing your great faith with us. You make it look easy, and as I grow and pray and practice my faith and continue to learn from you, I hope for that. 🤞❤🌱🌵