YOU'RE DESTINED TO GROW
(Luke 13: 18-21)
Jesus compares the kingdom of God
to a mustard seed and a leaven. As a mustard seed, it is the smallest of all seeds
but grew to become a tree harbouring birds of the air. As a leaven, it was
hidden and insignificant but made the whole meal leavened.
You're not made to remain the old
Adam. You're a dynamic being. You possess the power to grow. You possess the
potential for greatness. You're destined to grow in wisdom, in grace and in
knowledge of the will of God.
At Baptism, that seed of faith
which projects you for the kingdom of God as a citizen of heaven is planted. It
is meant to be nourished daily by the Word of God and the Sacraments. This
faith is not just for your individual growth. Thus, many other birds of the air
hope to make their nests on it. Did you allow that seed to germinate? How have
you been nourishing your faith all along? Did you take it for granted because
of its small nature? Your greatness as a child of God depends on how you guide
your faith. In fact, its small nature depicts fragility and calls for jealous
watchfulness to ensure that it is not mixed up or falls where it will become a
weed. It should be planted and manured. Do you jeopardize your faith by
syncretism? Do you allow secularism to swallow your belief in Jesus? Have you
allowed popular opinions and social media views to water down your conviction
in the truths of Jesus Christ?
Keep growing no matter the
circumstances. Keep soaring high in virtue. Keep swimming against the currents
that wants you to remain spiritually small. Don't be materially and socially
great but spiritually dwarf. You've got to grow. You've got to dig into the depth
of knowledge of the word of God. You've got to sink your taproot deep down the
ground so that no wind of temptations, error or ignorance will be able to pull
you down. When your root is strong, when the foundation of your faith is solid
you will stand tall and maintain your spiritual height. Your prayer life will be unshakable. Your
moral life will be unflinching, your fruits will be sweet.
Then you will attract birds to
come for rest. Your aroma will be pleasing to those around you. You will influence
people positively. You will teach people the secret of spiritual growth and
maturity. You will no longer be hidden. You will stand out for good. You will
stand out in the evil world. You will shine bright like the stars. You will be
an answer to the prayer of Jesus: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth." Yes! In you people will see the will of God in actualization and
follow you as a pointer to heaven.
What is distorting your spiritual
growth? Is it bad habit? Bad company? Spiritual laziness? Inability to be
religious with your spiritual balanced diet? Is it the spiritual disease of sin
and indifference to the will of God for you?
May you not remain a mustard seed
but grow it a big tree. May you make positive impact and touch the world
positively.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus, it is your will that
we may grow. We want to grow more especially in those virtues that will help us
make heaven and also lead others to heaven. We also want to stand out in the
world that has lost every sense of the kingdom values. May we today and all the
days of our lives be nourished at the table of your Word and Eucharist to grow
in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God bless your Tuesday
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
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