Dear St. Theresa family,

This weekend we heard one of the parables of the kingdom which speaks of little things that become great things. Jesus began his public ministry by announcing that God’s long-awaited kingdom had arrived.  What came, however, was a far cry from the divine kingdom foretold by Ezekiel and the other prophets.  To start with, how could anyone take seriously the claim of a self-appointed rabbi who goes around announcing the arrival of a kingdom of justice and peace? His response to critics is the story we just heard.  The kingdom he came to proclaim, Jesus said, could no more be judged by his humble beginnings than one could draw from inspection of a tiny mustard seed of the great shrub it would produce.

Here was another thing. He told these parables to followers who were growing disillusioned. They were expecting a great national hero.  They wanted a revolution; the overthrow of the government of occupation…something…anything.  In response he says: “Look at the farmer…he waits patiently for the harvest.  God’s harvest is coming.  He has made the decisive beginning.  I have sown the seed and because it’s God’s seed the harvest is certain”.

These doubts were not limited to Jesus’ lifetime.  History tells us of many mighty struggles. Much of what we do today as church seems to be an exercise in futility.  And people do get discouraged. What we want to happen immediately does not happen and so we assume it never will. This attitude can leave those who are faithful feeling convicted for not doing enough.  And there is some truth in that.  But then, the success or failure of the church’s work is not determined by us.

Today, no less than in Jesus’ lifetime, it is the Lord who sows the seed, and it is he who will bring the seed to fruition. Our job is planting, watering, tending and patience, taking our cue from the confidence Jesus showed even to his final hour because there on that cross it was not his enemies who had the last word but Jesus himself who like an artist setting down his pallet and standing back from his completed painting or a surgeon who pulling his gloves after a successful operation proclaims with confidence: “It is finished.”

Here in this Word and at that altar we have with us the One who spoke that word. Here his finished work is celebrated and made available to us: the work of witnessing by our own words and actions which when spoken in faith become his words and actions for the bringing in of God’s kingdom. Here is where we enjoy its benefits:  the forgiveness and reconciliation of our sinfulness, and the resulting love, joy, and peace. Here we can repeat St. Paul’s words we heard today: “We continue to be confident…we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Have a blessed week,

Fr. Larry