The Power of Small Things

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eleventh Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 4:26-35*

*First Reading : Ez 17:22-24*

*SECOND READING - 2 Cor 5:6-10*

*The Power of Small Things*

*1) Kingdom of God and the Small things*

Kingdom of God is a great reality. It canbe compared to a mighty building

But in fact in that mighty building, there are only small things which are put together to make it a great building 

In the Kingdom of God there numerous small things which are involved, which ultimately make the Kingdom of God  

This shows the importance of small things 

*2) There are only Small things in the World*

In fact there are only small things which are existing in the world 

There are no great things at all. Only small things are present assembled together and in appearance, a great thing seen. But it is the unity of the small things in reality 

*3) Jesus on Small things*

Jesus speaks very much on Small things. We have few examples in the Gospel

Giving One cup of cold water

Two copper coins 

Small children/Small child

Two or three gathered together

Lillies of the Field

Birds of the air 

Salt of the Earth 

Yeast 

Hairs of head 

All these are little things which have great significance, since they are referred in connection with Kingdom of God and Christian Spirituality 

*4) The Power of Mustard seed*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the mustard seed. Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to the mustard Seed 

In size mustard seed is smallest of all seeds but when it grows it becomes a tall tree, which can accommodate the birds of the air 

So Jesus compares how the Kingdom of God grows from a small beginning and then it grows 

This parable also highlights the importance of the small things and its power 

*5) Patience with Small things*

We are living in a instant and fast world

Everything has to happen very fast. So also we need to get the returns quickly 

The logic of *instant things* does not work for spiritual and morally good and great things 

Moral values and spiritual things grow gradually and they become powerful 

Patience is the foundation for the growth in spiritual areas, moral values and great things 

*6) Small things in our Life*

The life message is very clear 

Small things which we perform in our life have a great significance in building the Kingdom of God, first of all in our own life and in our surrounding

Some of the small things could be the following 

A smile 

A small act of charity 

Helping someone in need 

Visiting the sick 

Spending little time for the service of others 

Speaking good about others 

A small act of generosity

A word of encouragement

Belief in the power of prayer 

Start your day with a small prayer

A small prayer for others 

Practicing patience in our daily work 

Stealing little time for prayer 

All these small things can build a strong kingdom of God in our family and in our surrounding

*Let our life be like a mustard seed*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*