Click here to read the daily readings from the USCCB website.
Big things often have small beginnings. Our readings speak of this reality. In the first reading, the Lord says through Jeremiah, “I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan.” Jesus explains the parable of the sower in the Gospel. “The smallest of seeds, but when it is has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree.”
I think we often reduce the symbolism of the mustard seed by saying “all it takes is a little bit of faith.” In keeping in mind today’s first reading, I would argue that the salvation of the world doesn’t depend on “a little bit of faith,” but on the enormous faith of a few. That’s where Christianity started. The Gospel spread to the ends of the earth because of the profound faith, witness, and testimony of a handful of men and women. Change doesn’t happen with a small, stagnant faith.
You are the one. You are the one that God has chosen. You are the one that God has asked to bring this big faith to the world, to change it as yeast changes dough. You must have big faith. I challenge you to ask yourself, honestly, does my faith cause me to change? Does my faith cause those around me to change? If not, the soil needs to be cultivated. Don’t make excuses. There is always more work to be done in the vineyard.
-Amanda Benner, Director of Evangelization