Dear Parish Family, 

Have you personally experienced listening to a public speaker who really amazed you and left an indelible impression upon you? Most of us have, I wager. It makes me marvel that Jesus must have been an awesome public speaker to his followers and even the curious. He knew how to connect with his listeners. The Middle East is an agrarian community and so by using an example of simple farming, the planting and growth of a mustard seed, he was able to aptly illustrate a basic theological lesson of faith and how it can grow with attention and nurturing. He knew his audience and how to get across his teaching about God the Father and the Kingdom of Heaven.

Throughout history, there have been - and are - gifted orators, for example, philosophers, politicians, televangelists and others who are impressive in their impassioned delivery and skilled verbal abilities of persuasion. Yet, their speeches and talks often veer to self-interest or an occasion for votes or personal monetary gain. Jesus’ message of salvation on the other hand was pointed squarely to his Father and how we as his children can get to Heaven.

Jesus assures us that the Father is ever-watchful, ever-loving and ever-present in our lives. It would seem then that putting God first above all things would be a no-brainer and easy. Yet, we often struggle to hand over the reins of our lives to him. We want to be in charge, the master of our own destiny.  In other words, a mini-God. Instead, we are invited to “let go and let God”, as the saying goes, and experience the infinite wonders of God’s loving presence and grace in our lives in all its facets, good and bad. And like the farmer in the parable, we know not how.

Does our faith allow us to trust him fully and intimately? Or is it tepid and conditional as long as life is proceeding on our own terms?  How can we make our faith stronger today than it was yesterday and even more vibrant tomorrow?

We can begin with a simple prayer acknowledging God as the ultimate source of love and goodness and expressing our own love, gratitude, need and trust for Him. God’s caring hand is always extended to us just for the asking. He will lead us faithfully through the high and low points of our earthly journey, keeping us safely bonded to Him for all eternity.

In using this parable as a synonym for faith, Jesus points out that the mustard seed can grow to become a hearty, flowering bush with nurturing on our part and plentiful graces generously bestowed from God. An unconquerable combination! As we seek him, the Father will shape our faith to be a worthy proclaimer of the Good News, thereby spreading the Kingdom of Heaven on earth and leading others to it. The Kingdom of Heaven is not just a far-off, spiritual place to ascend to when we are called to our eternal home. It is here and now and what we make of it in our - and others’ - lives. Jesus tells us to begin today, not wait for tomorrow, to set our compass, our spiritual GPS, on the path which the Father is calling us to walk in faith and holiness.

It is fitting, on this celebration of Father’s Day, to think not only of our own beloved fathers who have toiled selflessly to influence, shape and develop us to be the men and women we are today, but to give thanks to our Heavenly Father who also loves us and wants us to be with Him for all eternity in his Kingdom of Heaven. And His glorious invitation, which began at our baptism when we became His sons and daughters, is extended to us every waking day of our lives. Are you ready for the journey?

 Dcn John Cunningham