杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff writer

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter鈥檚 Square for the Sunday Angelus, 杏MAP导航 Francis reflected on the day鈥檚 Gospel: the two parables Jesus tells that open up an understanding of the mystery of God and how human events unfold. The parables show us that everyday life, which sometimes may seem monotonous or difficult, is always 鈥渋nhabited by God鈥檚 hidden presence鈥�, he noted, and it takes our attentive eyes to be able 鈥渢o seek and find God in all things鈥�.

God at work in our lives

Recalling how Jesus compares the Kingdom of God, His presence dwelling in the heart of all things, to the tiny mustard seed which becomes the tallest of trees, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that is how God works in our lives and the world. The challenge is that our busy lives can sometimes prevent us from seeing this reality - but 鈥淕od is at work, like a good little seed that silently and slowly germinates鈥� to become 鈥渁 lush tree, which gives life and rest to everyone鈥�.  He went on to say that the seeds of our good works may seem small by comparison, 鈥測et all that is good pertains to God鈥�, and good 鈥渁lways grows in a humble, hidden, often invisible way鈥�.

Discover God鈥檚 presence

This parable should give us confidence, the 杏MAP导航 said, despite the many times in life when we might be discouraged by thinking, mistakenly, that good is weak and evil is having the last word. At the same time, he said we should not be overcome with doubts either, even if we work hard and the desired results or changes never happen. The Gospel calls on us continually to look at ourselves and reality with eyes wide open that can see beyond appearances and 鈥渄iscover the presence of God who as humble love is always at work in the soil of our life and that of history鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 observed, underscoring that with this confidence we have 鈥渢he strength to go forward every day, patiently, sowing the good that will bear fruit鈥�. This attitude and approach is what is needed to recover from the pandemic, he said, the confidence of 鈥渂eing in God鈥檚 hands鈥� in order to rebuild, start again with 鈥減atience and perseverance鈥�.

God鈥檚 action in our lives

The 杏MAP导航 also observed that we need to be aware even in the Church of the 鈥渨eeds of doubt鈥� seen with the crisis of faith and various projects or initiatives that do not seem to work out. The help here, he said, is to always remember that the results of sowing does not depend on us; rather, 鈥渢hey depend on the action of God鈥� and it is our concern simply 鈥渢o sow, with love, dedication, patience鈥�. The force of the seed is divine, he noted, while the other parable in today鈥檚 Gospel explains how the farmer sows the seed and is amazed at how it 鈥済rows spontaneously, day and night, when he least expects it鈥�, showing 鈥渢here is always hope鈥�, even in the most infertile soil.

In conclusion, the 杏MAP导航 prayed that Our Lady, the Lord鈥檚 humble handmaid, might 鈥渢each us to see the greatness of God who works in the little things鈥�, to remain hopeful and trusting in Him every day.