June 17, 2012 – Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ez 17:22-24; Ps 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16; 2 Cor 5:6-10; Mk 4:26-34
In today’s readings, we hear how the Lord takes what is small and makes it great – a branch from the cedar, which, when planted will “put forth branches and bear fruit. It will become a majestic cedar;” and a mustard seed, the smallest of the seeds, which becomes a huge plant. And so He builds up His kingdom. He calls all of us to be His disciples, and though, in the eyes of the world, we may be insignificant, His call is great. When we answer the call and give ourselves to Him completely – offering Him all that we are – He will use us for great things – to bring others to Him, to make disciples of all nations, to build the Kingdom of God.
It is out responsibility to listen to His call, to recognize the gifts He has given us, and, using them for His greater glory, to answer the call by surrendering ourselves to the Lord. Without Him we are nothing, completely insignificant, but with Him we are called to greatness.