A seed is tiny and yet through the use of time we know that it grows into something that is large. Once it sprouts into its full maturity it is also able to bear more seed which in return has the potential of bringing forth new life. We should always be sent forth with this same missionary spirit because despite how small that we may be when placed beside the massiveness that is this world we do have the ability to contribute a lot to its wellbeing. From the crest of a cedar came this massive tree that sprouted out on the mountaintop, from the seed that was scattered in the field came forth an abundance of new life, and from the small mustard seed came forth a plant which towered high into the sky.
When we consider this need to evangelize and thus to share our faith with others despite how minuscule we might be to the complexity of society my mind is always taken to Saint Therese of Lisieux. We know her under the title of the "Little Flower" and we speak of her concerning her "Little Way." If we removed the "Little Way" from our understanding of her we might not have a saint to venerate, so in all actuality the "Little Way" must be huge and tremendous. So what is this "Little Way" of Saint Therese of Lisieux? In the "Little Way" one is aware of the many small and mundane tasks of everyday life and in return they see the need to sanctify these tasks. A sacrifice, a smile, or a word of comfort as small as these gestures may be all contribute to the meaning of the little way because they are all responses made out of love for God. To open a door for another may not get us attention and adoration for out deed, but if this gesture is done with the spirit of love for God we are participating in the "Little Way."
We too must remember that Christ even came and called the twelve apostles to follow after Him in service. There was nothing special about these twelve men that would set them leaps and bounds above others, and yet they were the ones who were chosen. Despite their imperfections and thus too their smallness in the midst of a massive world they were the ones who were called to become His first priests. None of them were perfect and yet they were called and thus in return also called many souls to come and to encounter Christ. They were nothing more then a small seed and yet the fruit that they were able to produce was abundant. Following Christ's Ascension into Heaven they did not just give up hope, but instead they went forth with a missionary spirit to draw many souls to encounter the faith that we profess.
If we are to take seriously the magnitude of our scriptures this day we must be sent forth from here with this same missionary spirit. We must desire to set souls on fire for the name of Christ and His Church. The truth that is proclaimed by the Gospel is hard at times, but nevertheless we must embrace it in its entirety. If we live out our life as if it is separated from the Church and her teachings we will have no nourishment that will lead to the seed of faith springing forth new life in our midst. If we profess a Gospel message that is false or desire not to grow in the pains of conversion we will have nothing to offer souls on their journey of faith. Thus we will be held responsible for producing no fruit because we wanted nothing on this earth to do with Christ.
Saint Therese of Lisieux in her "Little Way" gave service to Christ and to His Holy Gospel. The apostles, despite the many difficulties along the way, gave service to Christ and to His Holy Gospel. From this firm foundation that was placed upon Christ and His Church sprang forth their missionary zeal to draw more souls into the harvest of the Lord. May we too come to encounter Christ in the sacraments of the Church this day and from this font of grace may we grow in our faith and our relationship with Christ. The more that we grow to love Christ and His Church the more we will have to offer unto all the souls whom we encounter along the way; be they family, friends, or even enemies. Christ is the nourishment that we need if a field of freshly sewn seed is to ever produce a massive harvest. Christ is the nourishment that we will need if our faith is to grow into a strong object that will withstand the many storms of this life that attempt to knock us over. May therefore always trust in Christ and His Church.
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