Small But Mighty

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SPEAKER_03 0:25

Good morning. Today's scripture from Matthew is about the parable of the mustard seed. Father Ron's reflection offers us personal insight on how to interpret this passage. Today is also Concert Friday, so I invite you to stay for a few moments after prayer to listen to our musical selection. You won't want to miss it. Thank you for joining us today, and welcome to prayer. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_01 1:02

Amen. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

SPEAKER_00 1:11

Psalm 6. How long? I am angry with myself. I feel weak and fearful.

SPEAKER_02 1:22

I'm beset with conflicts inside and out. Paralyzed, shaky, sleepless.

SPEAKER_00 1:32

How long must I endure this, God? What's the point? Is it a test? Do you care? Are you there?

SPEAKER_02 1:44

I can never prove you are there. I only know that I feel lighter for having asked.

SPEAKER_00 1:54

It comes to me what I could do next. That some of my conflicts can be put aside.

SPEAKER_02 2:03

Then I can face all that I need to do. I'm not so confused anymore.

SPEAKER_00 2:13

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_02 2:17

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when planted, it is the largest of plants. The word of the Lord. On the farm where I grew up in rural Missouri, there was a small spring-fed lake at the far end of the field where the cattle grazed. And I loved going down there and just skipping rocks across the water as the cows watched, apparently fascinated by my talent. The shore of the little lake, it was filled with small smooth stones, and I could spend hours watching them spin and skip and dance across the water. But it didn't always work. Sometimes the stone would hit the water once and plunk straight to the bottom. And what fascinated me was how such a tiny thing could make all the difference. The angle of my wrist, the flick of my finger, just the slightest bump on the stone. Little things mattered and made the difference between success and failure. And I think that's a part of the wisdom Jesus offers us in the scripture today. The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. It is something tiny, almost insignificant. And yet when planted it grows into something far greater than anyone imagined. And maybe that's how the kingdom of God is built. Not usually through spectacular gestures or heroic moments, but through the small things we choose to do every day. She encourages us, she says, never to miss an opportunity for a small sacrifice a smile, a kindly word, some little gesture offered with great love. Last week, Father Carl left a little box of chocolates in my room. No occasion, no reason. Just a small kindness that said I'm thinking of you. And you know what? It made my whole day. Or someone passes you in the hallway, smiles, and says, Good morning. And you can tell they actually mean it. It lifts your spirit just a little. And maybe because someone lifted yours, you'll lift someone else's. And on it goes. A mustard seed, a tiny stone skipping across the water, a hand extended, a kindness offered, a little love given when no one is watching. We sometimes imagine that building the kingdom of God requires something extraordinary. But maybe today Jesus is telling us otherwise. Maybe the kingdom is built quietly, one small act of love at a time. And perhaps the smallest thing you do today with great love will travel farther than you will ever know.

SPEAKER_03 6:58

Now let us bring our petitions before the Lord. With confidence and trust, we pray.

SPEAKER_01 7:17

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

SPEAKER_03 7:33

Let us pray. Lord of the small beginnings, you have taught us that your kingdom starts as the tiniest seed and grows into a shelter for all who need rest. Give us faith to trust what you are growing, even when we cannot yet see it. Help us plant faithfully in word and deed and leave the growing to you. May our small acts of love, kindness, and courage become places of refuge for others. We ask all of this in the name of the one who sowed the kingdom among us, Christ our Lord. Into your hands I surrender my life. Pour out spirit upon me, that I may love you perfectly and serve you faithfully until my soul rests in you. It was great having you with us. And may Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Remember that those little acts of kindness and love can turn into something powerful. And now we'll close with our concert Friday selection. It's one that many of you, I'm sure, are familiar with. It's Angel by Sarah McLaughlin. But this version is a little different. She is backed by a 2,500-person choir. And honestly, who doesn't love a choir? Enjoy.

SPEAKER_05 9:34

Spend all your time waiting for that second chance. Break down and make it okay.