< <  

Monday, July 28, 2014

  > >
Jeremiah 13:1-11
Deuteronomy 32:18-21
Matthew 13:31-35

View Readings
Similar Reflections

seeding is believing

"The reign of God is like a mustard seed which someone took and sowed in his field." —Matthew 13:31

The Lord is looking for someone to sow a mustard seed. Physically, this is light work, for thousands of mustard seeds weigh almost nothing. However, sowing a mustard seed is hard work spiritually. When someone sows a mustard seed, he appears to be doing nothing. Although he knows he is doing something, he himself feels as if he is doing something which amounts to nothing. He is strongly tempted to despise "small beginnings" (Zec 4:10).

Like Jesus, the Suffering Servant and the Messiah, the sower of a mustard seed feels he has "toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent" his strength (Is 49:4). The life of a mustard seed sower is hidden in Christ (Col 3:3) and appears useless and hopeless. Nevertheless, the Lord promises a mustard seed sower: "I will make you a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth" (Is 49:6).

Some of you reading this feel discouraged that we are still light-years away from the amazing justice and freedom which is part of the kingdom of God. However, put the drop of your life into the ocean of God's love. God will multiply it to transform the world.

Prayer:  Father, I will give You my best even when no one but You knows what I'm doing.

Promise:  "I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to Me, says the Lord; to be My people, My renown, My praise, My beauty." —Jer 13:11

Praise:  When his wife died John's friends and family expected him to drink again, but his faith in God kept him sober.

Reference:  (Ask Jesus to enrich your life each day by reading the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 2, 2014

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.