The Holy Great-Martyr Marina; Passing into Eternal Life (1944) of Blessed Tarsykia (Matskiv) of the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate, Martyr
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1 Corinthians 2:9-3:8; Matthew 13:31-36
Today’s parables give us teaching about the process of growth in the spiritual life. Many of us contemplate the goal that is set before us of becoming saints. We admire how glorious the saints become and wonder how by God’s grace such a wondrous state is achieved. What we oftentimes fail to see is that the life of a saint is a life lived over the course of many years, which required faithful struggle. What Jesus is reminding us in today’s parables is that the life of holiness begins in the small things.
The seed or yeast are tiny objects which embody great potential. When planted and cultivated over time their potential is realized the seed and yeast bring forth tangible fruit much larger than they were at the start. The Lord encourages us to be faithful in the little things: to faithfully uphold His commandments, to keep our prayer rule, to regularly receive the Eucharist, to strive to serve someone selflessly daily, to be quick to forgiveness, to grow in inner purity and to cultivate a love for God and neighbour. True growth occurs in everyday daily tasks, which we do for the love of Christ. As we grow in love for the Lord through the little things we become more open to the greater blessings the Lord has in mind for each of us.