Reflections

Gospel Meditation – Encourage Deeper Understanding of Scripture

June 13, 2021 | 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

A favorite motto of St. Teresa of Calcutta was, “do small things with great love.” This is how it works in the kingdom of God. God can do tremendous things with the smallest gesture, especially when it is done in love. We can clearly see that our world is suffering greatly. People are struggling to find peace, navigate through conflicts, earn a sustainable living, find security and enough food to eat, and work through political tensions and conflicts. In the light of the magnitude of the difficulties that exist around us and even within us, we can find ourselves floundering to discover practical, effective solutions. How can something so large be helped by someone as small and seemingly insignificant as me? While whole systems and structures may be out of the league of our personal influence, are we really that helpless in the midst of all of the turmoil, sadness, and suffering?

If we believe that God is with us and that God is still working to bring about the glory of God’s kingdom, then the answer is no. We are never helpless or without hope. Armed with a strong life of prayer, we can always flee to God and ask for inspiration, wisdom, and especially love. We are all blessed with unique gifts and talents and it often seems that considering all that the world lacks, love and charity remain at the top of the list. Life can easily become a battleground of hostility. Because life is challenging and difficult, anger is not far away. We see it on people’s faces and hear it in their voices. There is a measure of frustration that permeates all avenues of life. It is even felt in the air.

As people of faith, we know that what we see here is not the end but only a part of something far greater to come. We know that God’s kingdom is where we are ultimately meant to be, and the Gospel is the way to get there. If love and charity can prevail in us, then God will be able to do what God does best. God will use us to scatter the seeds of his kingdom. Through our small gestures, those seeds can receive the nurturing attention that is necessary for them to bear great fruit. We cannot fall victim to the strife that is around us. We have to keep ourselves refreshed and focused so that even in small ways, we can become part of the solution, not the problem. Love and charity, which come from God, can help to heal the ills of the world. May we bring these simple gifts to the everyday simple tasks of our lives! Watch how big the plant grows!

©LPi