Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest | USCCB
In our
gospel for today we hear of the Kingdom of God being compared to that of a seed
being spread on the land and how it grows from day to day to full maturity. As
we read this gospel, we can reflect on our own lives and see how the Word of
God, like a seed, has touched each one of us and has helped us grow ever closer
to the Lord. I know for my own life, my relationship with God has grown over
the years and is now different and deeper than it was years ago.
The seed of
faith in each one of us started with our baptism. For most of us, we were
baptized as children. Our parents had faith in God and their faith was so
important to them that they wanted to share that faith in God with us through
our own baptism. That was when the seed of faith was planted in each one of us.
Further, we had a simple faith in God based on what we learned through our
religious education growing up. The seed faith was planted by our parents
bringing us for baptism, and then it grew thanks to the priests and nuns that
we knew growing up teaching us our faith in Jesus Christ. The faith was simple
then. But as we grow older, our faith, like plants in a garden, grows ever
stronger as we develop a better understanding of our relationship with Jesus
Christ. That’s how the Kingdom of God grows in each one of us. It is through
reading and understand our faith through scripture and by understanding the
teachings of Jesus Christ as taught by the Catholic Church that we grow in
faith.
As we
continue to grow and mature in our faith, we are, like a gardener, are called to
water our faith with the regular attendance at Mass. Further, we are called to
the regular use of confession for the times we fall short of what it means to
be a follower of Jesus Christ. Then, like the mustard seed mentioned by the
Lord, our faith will grow from being small to the largest of all plants.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteVery good reflection.
I would like to add that the seed of faith grows within us not only as we pray, participate at Mass & receive the Eucharist, hear, read & meditate on GOD'S Word in Sacred Scripture, study & obey His Word & the teaching of the Catholic Church, & make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but also in our experience of GOD'S help & inspiration & faithfulness in what He calls us to do in every aspect of our life experience, as we strive to apply our faith, our relationship to GOD, & be centered in Our LORD in every aspect of our daily lives, going "from Gospel to life & life to Gospel", & experiencing His love, His faithfulness, His inspiration, guidance, protection & provision as we meet life's many challenges, & "taste & see that the LORD is good".
Most times our growth is not dramatic but subtle & is the fruit of what my now deceased former spiritual director called "faithfulness over a long period of time".