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And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed foresees the growth of the kingdom from a small group of apostles and disciples into the universal Catholic Church that will eventually reach every corner of the world; but it also describes the working of faith within the individual Christian.
In Matthew 17, when His apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith, Jesus answers tells them that if their faith was as a grain of mustard seed, they would be able to move mountains.
Asking the Lord for an increase in Faith is a good thing! A gift from God, this theological virtue enables you to perform all that the Lord asks of you and to do so in a way that is pleasing to Him. From the first moments of Faith, even when our faith is quite small, we can do far more than we might imagine.
The faith that we have received is the very power of Almighty God to do great things. And we should never forget or neglect this gift!
Try this! When you awake each morning, give thanks to God for seeing you safely through the night and granting you a new day. Ask Him for the grace to know and understand what He calls you to do in the ordinary moments of the day, and the courage to follow His will. Above all, ask for an increase in Faith, Hope and Charity—for yourself and your loved ones—in order that you may attain your end.
Amen!
Into the deep…
Deacon Bickerstaff is available to speak at your parish or event. Be sure to check out his Speaker Page to learn more. Into the Deep is a regular feature of the The Integrated Catholic Life™.
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