This gospel about the mustard seed is familiar to so many of us. I think we all understand the larger point Jesus is trying to make – that even a little bit of faith can work wonders. That it can grow, and strengthen, and make possible miracles. It is not a question of marveling at what great saints can do, but what we all can do with the gifts God has given to each of us.
One of the saints of our time was Dorothy Day of the Catholic Worker. Her hair in a bun, her clothes left over from a clothing drive, Dorothy Day fed and housed the poor with the kind of no-fuss manner of the servant in today’s gospel parable. She hated when people would call her “a saint.” She saw it as a cop-out: “Don’t say that. Don’t make it too easy for yourself. You could easily do what I do. You don’t need any more than what you have.”
We look not just to the sycamore tree, but to the streets in downtown Seattle and to this building in which we worship and serve. It’s a simple reminder of what many saints in this community of Christ Our Hope are already doing with their mustard seed faith. We now have the opportunity to reflect again on our own stewardship of talent. These signs of mustard seed faith in our own community remind us of our common call to Christian service.
Fill out our online Stewardship of Talent form.
As I’ve said so many times before, thank you, thank you, for your generous gifts of time, talent and treasure! Our parish is indeed a beacon of light in the heart of the city where all are welcome to grow in faith, hope and love.
Paul A. Magnano
Pastor