He said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is
as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and
day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the
land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the
ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest
has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what
parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in
the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown,
it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables
he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in
private.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come into your presence with
openness of heart. I know that you want to plant your seed in me and help it to
bear fruit. I trust that you will pour out your mercy on me as I spend this
time with you. I want to love you more and become a better instrument of your
love.
Petition: Lord, help me contemplate the action of your grace
upon the world and fully cooperate with you.
Steady Growth: Jesus reminds me that his grace is working in
the world. His message carries an interior dynamism that affects souls and
brings about change in them. I think of someone who has surprised me by a
sudden conversion or steady growth in Christian living. I see many people who
are working on projects of evangelization or are full of Christian charity. I
see many other people who are trying in their secular occupations to do their
part to make this world better. I contemplate the many families that are
striving to be places of love in which each person is valued as a unique gift.
This is the seed of the Gospel that grows silently without our knowing how.
When the Grain Is Ripe: God, in his mercy, often adds years
to our life so that we can learn wisdom and produce in our actions fruit that
is worthy of eternity. How much do I value the opportunities I have each day to
do simple acts of charity or leave messages that have a beneficial effect on
others? How often do I pray for others? Each day I should be attentive to the
small and big opportunities the Lord gives me to help establish his kingdom
more deeply in my soul and in the souls of others.
Disproportionate Strength: Like the image of the mustard
tree in the parable, Christ’s grace sustains many men and women throughout the
world. People discover in Christ’s friendship the true home their hearts seek and
the communion with all men they intuitively desire. What a great gift we have
in the Church! Let us try to make it a true home for all people. Let us partake
deeply of its teachings and its grace and become more deeply a gift for others.
The strength of love sustains us.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for the workings
of your grace in so many souls. I want to be united with your grace throughout
this day and throughout my life. Help me to use this day in such a way that I
will be planting your love around me.
Resolution: Today I will take time to say a special prayer
or make a special sacrifice for the conversion of sinners.
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