In today's Gospel, Jesus offers two parables to appreciate starting small. What is common in these parables is that something started small only, but in the end, became big. The mustard seed, which is just a tiny seed, became the largest of plants. Just a tiny amount of yeast turned a mass of dough into leavened bread. Both were seemingly insignificant in the beginning, but they turned out to be important in making big things happen.

The community pantry is an example of what Jesus meant in these parables. It is like the mustard seed and yeast that led to something big. From a small project along Maginhawa St. in Quezon City, it spread to different parts of the country. People started giving what they can contribute and those in need would get only what they needed. It is a concrete proof that the genuine spirit of 'Bayanihan' is still alive in our country. I witnessed this myself in our parish in Pampanga. I saw how people were ready to give what they had, no matter how small or big their contribution. Contributions, whether big or small, when put together make a difference in the lives of people. A little act of kindness creates a ripple effect and multiplies goodness in humanity.

The Gospel today is a reminder that we are special in the eyes of God. With Him. no one should be left behind. Each one has something to give from himself for the good of the community. The role of being a coordinator in the seminary or an organization in the parish is an avenue to share from our wealth of skills, time and other resources. Each of us has a talent or gift that we can contribute and help build our communities. Members, for example, who are more well-versed in communications technology can help in the live-streaming of the Mass. Those gifted with aesthetics sense may initiate in flower arrangement preparations to help decorate the church. Those who are gifted with a singing voice or playing instruments can join the music ministry. It may seem insignificant to us or may not even be noticed by others at first, but Jesus is reminding us that our contribution, whether big or small, is wonderfully special in His eyes.

By: Sem. Renz Marion C. Cunanan

Today's Gospel

Mt 13:31-35

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds.
"The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed
that a person took and sowed in a field.
It is the smallest of all the seeds,
yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants.
It becomes a large bush,
and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches."

He spoke to them another parable.
"The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast
that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch was leavened."

All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.
He spoke to them only in parables,
to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:

I will open my mouth in parables,
I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.