The God of small things!

Monday, 17th week in Ordinary time

July 30, 2018: Jer 13: 1-11; Mt 13: 31-35

God chose what was foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what was weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what was low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God (1 Cor 1:27-29). 

Jesus is fond of presenting his Father as the God of small things! He thanks God for keeping the secrets from the elites but revealing them to children (cf. Lk 10:21) and compares the Reign of God to a mustard seed and to a pinch of yeast. He invites us to learn of his meekness and humility (cf. Mt 11:30) and mediates the salvific love of God through his sheer obedience (cf. 2 Phil). Mindful of this, St. Paul sighs, "what do we have that we have not received?" (cf. 1 Cor 4:7).

At times when religious opinions clash on the floor of the social networks these days, we notice quite many who fight tooth and nail to establish that they are right, desperately wanting to "defend" God. Though it is an admirable gesture, most of the times I end up smiling within me. Let us remind ourselves of our smallness before God! It is nothing more than a realistic understanding of what we are in front of the majesty that God is adorned with. It is better to be a small little thing in the presence of God than a mighty big being without God. It just would not make any sense; not forever! 

The foolish man says in his heart, 'there is no god' - derides the Psalmist (14:1). The secret lies in keeping it simple and being grateful for every small thing that we have; for our God is a God of small things!