June 13, 2021
Eleventh 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
MEDITACIÓN EVANGÉLICO (Gospel Meditation)
13 de junio 2021
11º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
Todavía con sabor a Fiesta del Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo del pasado domingo en nuestros corazones. Ahora, debemos de preparar la mente y corazón para iniciar el Tiempo Ordinario. Esto significa que, el Evangelio de Marcos, nuevamente nos lleva por el camino del Reino, a preparar la tierra para que la semilla crezca por si sola y de fruto. “Jesús dijo además: ‘Escuchen esta comparación del Reino de Dios. Un hombre esparce la semilla en la tierra, y ya duerma o esté despierto, sea de noche o de día, la semilla brota y crece, sin que él sepa cómo’” (Marcos 4:26-27).
Aquí, claramente se trata de ver la confianza que Dios ha depositado en el crecimiento de cada uno. Dios comienza, poniendo su semilla, y la persona responde. Todo, despacio, llegará a su tiempo. Sin quemar etapas, los resultados aparecen cuando el Espíritu de Dios está listo en la persona. “La tierra da fruto por si misma: primero la hierba, luego la espiga, y por último la espiga se llena de granos. Y cuando el grano está maduro, se le mete la hoz, pues ha llegado el tiempo de la cosecha” (Marcos 4:28-29). Muchas veces hay desesperanza por no ver resultados rápidos y convincentes. Tal pareciera que el mal vence en el mundo. Sin embargo, no es así; Dios, da comienzo a su obra de santidad con humildad. Saber esperar con paciencia, pero en actividad, es de sabios y de santos. La semilla crece, y la persona lo sabe al sentirse segura y lista para andar por los caminos de Dios. Reto de este domingo: Dejar que el grano de mostaza crezca en mi vida y de fruto en abundancia.
©LPi