One Minute Reflection – 15 November – Readings: Jer 29:11-12; 29:14, Ps 84:2, 1 Thess. 1:2-10, Matt 13:31-35
The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. This indeed is the smallest of all the seeds; but when it grows up it is larger than any herb and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and dwell in its branches.
Matt 13:31-35
REFLECTION – The Word of God is like a grain of mustard seed: before cultivation it looks extremely small. But when it is cultivated in the right way it grows so large that the highest principles of both sensible and intelligible creation come like birds to revive themselves in it. For the principles – or inner essences of all things are embraced by the Word, but the Word is not embraced by anything. Hence the Lord has said that whoever has faith like a grain of mustard seed can move a mountain by a word of command, that is, he can destroy the devil’s dominion over us and remove it from its foundation.
The grain of mustard seed is the Lord, who by faith is sown spiritually in the hearts of those who accept him. Whoever diligently cultivates the seed by practicing the virtues moves the mountain of earthbound pride and, through the power thus gained, expels the obdurate habit of sin. In this way the activity of the principles and qualities, or divine powers, present in the commandments is revived as though they were birds. Those who seek the Lord should not look for him outside themselves. On the contrary, they must seek him within themselves through faith made manifest in action.
For it is written: “The word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart”, that is, the word of faith, Christ being himself the word that is sought.
St Maximus the Confessor
PRAYER – Lord God, You made St Albert great by his gift for reconciling human wisdom with divine faith. Help us so to follow his teaching that every advance in science may lead us to a deeper knowledge and love of You. May his prayers on our behalf be a succour to us all. Through our Lord Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.
