Seventeenth Monday of Ordinary Time

The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.

The seed of faith needs to be sown in our hearts. Without planting it, we will have nothing to show for our efforts on this earth. But how do we do this? First, we must accept the seed of faith. We cannot sow what we do not have. So we must be willing to trust in the gospel message and in the model of living that Jesus gives us. Secondly, we have to cultivate this seed through good words and works. As we grow in the habit of loving God and our brothers and sisters in Christ, our graces will branch out and provide the shade of hope for our family, friends, and neighbors. We, in a sense, make present the kingdom of God through our acts of faith, hope, and love. From the tiny seed of faith, we grow into large bushes wherein all of God’s children can rest.

Are we cultivating a lifestyle that will help us grow in God’s graces? What do we do to nurture our virtues and prune our vices? Do we allow others to rest in the shade of our love?

O Lord, cultivate the seed of our faith so that one day we might become a dwelling place for all your children.

Amen.