This reflection on today’s Gospel is for my sister because
it speaks to growth, in our case the growth and healing of our relationship.
Like the mustard seed in Luke’s beautiful passage, we never
know how powerful some small gesture of friendship, kindness or
reconciliation might turn out to be – and how we will be the
ultimate beneficiaries. In a grace-filled moment, I realized that I had to change and the best place to start was with our relationship. I couldn’t do much about world peace while carrying around such a personal grudge. I made a tiny gesture –like planting a mustard seed – and told my sister some nice things about herself that were true but not in keeping with my cherished resentments. It felt a little phony but my mind said, do it. I had unknowingly planted the mustard seed. She responded with warmth. We started spending more time together and enjoying it. My tense civility gave way to genuine warmth. We became the closest of friends and now communicate constantly via email. I often tell her how much I admire her and appreciate her; I mean every word. My only regret is the years I wasted before planting that seed. Maybe this is how we build the Kingdom of God – one mustard seed-sized gesture at a time. |