REFLECTION FOR TODAY,
October 27, 2020
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
Again, he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.” Luke 13:20-21
The kingdom of God is like a yeast, which despite its small size blossoms into abounding love in the world. Yeast is a fascinating thing. It is so small in size and yet has such a powerful effect upon the dough. The yeast works slowly and somewhat miraculously. Little by little the dough rises and is transformed. This is always something fascinating for children to watch when making bread.
This is the ideal way for the Gospel to work in our lives. Right now, the Kingdom of God is first and foremost alive in our hearts. The conversion of our hearts will rarely effectively take place in a day or in a moment. Sure, each day and every moment are important, and there are certainly powerful moments of conversion we can all point to. But conversion of heart is more like the yeast causing the dough to rise.
The conversion of heart is usually something that takes place little by little and step by step. We allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives in a continually deepening way and, as we do, we grow deeper and deeper in holiness just as dough rises slowly but surely.
The fundamental thing about the yeast is that small as it is, causes a significant change on the wheat flour. The same can be said of love. A small, almost imperceptible amount of love can go a long way to change everything. Jesus knew that every act of love matter, that every gift of self makes the kingdom of God real on earth. The yeast efects change because, as we know well, love is attractive; love multiplies itself. So, too, it is with God’s kingdom. Once we experience it, we want more of it – for ourselves and for others.
Reflect, today, upon this image of yeast causing dough to rise. Do you see this as an image of your soul? Do you see the Holy Spirit working on you little by little? Do you see yourself changing slowly but steadily? Hopefully the answer is “Yes.” Though conversion or love may not always take place overnight, it must be constant so as to enable the soul to progress to that place prepared for it by God.
Lord, I do desire to become holy. I desire to be transformed little by little every day. Help me to allow You to change me every moment of my life so that I can continually walk the path You have laid out for me. Jesus, I trust in You.