Read Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 and Matthew 13:31-35
”It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. (Matthew 13:32)
Sin is defined as an offense against God. And since the world does not want to hear about God (Divine authority), it prefers to use the word ‘bad’ (indicative of freedom and choice).
We live in an age where sinful actions are advertised, openly displayed, and people are made to take pride in them without seeing anything wrong in them. If I call somebody a sinner, he or she could take it as an insult, but if I call that person a ‘bad guy’, he or she would smile and be happy.
When Aaron fashioned the golden calf, the people did not see anything wrong with it. They bowed and worshipped it; they even danced around it and engaged in orgies. There was no shame in them just as the people of our age are fast losing a sense of shame.
But then, see how our first reading ends. God says: “When it is time for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.” Sin is sin and it always attracts punishment yet we know God is merciful. How foolish we would be if we deliberately sin just because we are aware of his mercy?
If you always pardon your child each time he or she does something bad, how would you react if that child deliberately continues doing it and even laughs at you when you try to correct him? Be your own judge.
In our Gospel passage, Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a mustard seed that appears to be the smallest of all seeds but eventually becomes the biggest of all shrubs. A good character begins with little habitual acts. To become the person of your dreams, you have to start with very few acts of goodness and holiness. Whatever good we do this day is like a seed the eventually grows shaping us into saints in the future.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to live a good life. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, (Memorial). Bible Study: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 and Matthew 13:31-35).