THE CHURCH - LIKE A LEBANON CEDAR
A Blessed Sunday to everyone. How do you like belonging to a Church that is like a Lebanon Cedar – tall, strong, mighty, majestic, verdant, fruitful & having longevity & fullness of years? Yes, that is what the Catholic Church is like & what the scriptures declare this weekend.
The First Reading from the Prophet Ezekiel Chapter 17 Verses 22 to 24 tells us that God will plant a noble cedar on a high mountain in Israel (high mountains are a place where God dwells) – that sprouts branches, bears fruit & provides great shade & rest for all winged creatures. The Gospel of Mark 4:26-34 continues the theme of God’s kingdom that is like a mustard tree, that keeps on sprouting & growing, providing shelter & refuge to birds (& to everyone who seeks safety & solace).
But the majestic cedar & the mustard tree didn’t begin its ‘mission’ this way – large & glorious. It began as a small shoot (the cedar) or small seed (mustard shrub) that was planted or sowed. Only because the Lord God blessed its growth, did it grow strong & tall. Likewise, the Church didn’t begin as a powerful institution – indeed she was rejected, despised & persecuted! She began small, with just the 12 apostles, Mother Mary & the other disciples in Jerusalem. But, due to the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, this work of the Lord grew & expanded the Church’s reach & influence to become who she is today. All this growth is the work of the Lord! Indeed, as St Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:7-8: “I planted, Apollos watered. … but God made it grow.”
So, you may be thinking – great that we have the macro view. But how does this relate to me? Well, at the micro or individual level, you are also a ‘seed’ – filled with God’s life, love & goodness as an adopted son or daughter of God through the grace of Baptism (cf Romans 8:14-17). You, too, can grow up to be, like what today’s Responsorial Psalm says: “The just will flourish like the palm-tree and grow like a Lebanon cedar … still bearing fruit when they are old, still fill of sap, still green, …” (Psalm 92:13-16).
Perhaps you will be like St. Barnabas (Memorial on 11 June), encouraging others in their faith; or St Anthony of Padua (Memorial on 13 June), speaking God’s Word with clarity & power – 2 saints whose memory we celebrated this week.
But you may protest – I’m not holy / good / smart / capable / mature / young, etc enough! To all these resistances, remember today’s sharing. What starts out as a short shoot or small seed has the potential, in God’s power, to become a tall & strong cedar or a large mustard tree, bringing rest, shelter, comfort & refuge to many. Don’t diminish & look down on yourself, like Gideon in the Book of Judges Chapter 6. The angel of the Lord addressed him as a ‘mighty warrior to save Israel’, but Gideon felt unqualified due to his poor self-esteem & the challenging circumstances of fighting a losing battle with the then-enemies of Israel (Midian). But Gideon finally came around, trusted in the Lord, moved in the power of the Most High & fulfilled his destiny as a ‘mighty warrior’.
As we begin this week ahead, may you continue to grow in your faith, be open to the gifts & directions He is giving you, & use them to glorify Jesus the Lord & build His kingdom.
Article by Damian Boon, HFC Blog Team Lead