The God of Small Beginnings
- davidwperk
- Jan 23
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Thursday, January 23, 2025
The week of the second Sunday after Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
30 He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 944)
AM Psalm 37:1-18; PM Psalm 37:19-42
Isa. 45:5-17; Eph. 5:15-33; Mark 4:21-34
Today we celebrate the Feast of Phillips Brooks. See below.)
David’s Reflections
During college years, I received a birthday card from Mrs. Oda Lee Pesnell, a lay leader of the Longstraw Baptist Church, four miles south of Choudrant, Louisiana, my first pastoral charge. On the front of the card a plastic bubble displayed a small round yellow seed that rolled freely within that clear, hard pocket. The card carried the inscription, “Faith as a grain of mustard seed.” Jesus referred to mustard seed twice: in today’s reading, and in the statement that faith small as a grain of mustard seed would move mountains (Mt. 17:20).
That plastic-encased seed indeed looked tiny, smaller than a B B, smaller than a number 6 bird shot pellet (contents of a shotgun shell). Jesus’ coming and his gathering of a little band of followers (he once called them a “little flock”—Lk. 12:32) certainly was a queer, mustard seed way for the God of all the heavens and earth to make a new beginning. Yet, that small beginning made by one absolutely dependent on God’s presence and power has morphed into the Church universal of today.
The God of Jesus seems prejudiced in favor of very small beginnings. Consider the stories of Abraham, Moses, and David. How better to display the seething life-power of the Christian message and the attractiveness of the Christian way than to begin very small and evoke wonder at the ultimate contrasting outcome.
Are there any small beginnings in your own life and soul? Can you trace out a desire, a dream, a virtue so small, so slight as almost to escape even your own notice? “Will I ever . . . ?” you may be asking. That desire, that dream, that intent feels so weak and negligible. How could it ever sprout forth and live? The mustard seed image witnesses to the God of small beginnings that erupt into larger living realities.
Would it surprise you to know that Oda Lee's birthday card remains a treasured memento? She died in October of 2009 and lies interred in the cemetery of her beloved little church. Her son serves as chair of the cemetery committee. That seed rattling in that little bubble symbolizes so much of what God’s living presence has sprouted from apparent nothingness. Oda Lee’s Hallmark choice still proclaims.
Collect of the Day, Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 215)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Phillips Brooks, bishop and preacher (died 23 Jan 1893 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Phillips Brooks
Everlasting God, who implants your living Word in the minds and on the lips of all who proclaim your truth: Grant that we, like your pastor and preacher Phillips Brooks, might proclaim your Gospel in our own generation with grace and power. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, now and for ever Amen.
A Collect for Guidance
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP 100)
Of the Holy Eucharist (Especially suitable for Thursdays)
God our Father, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ in a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 252)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 280)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 4:21-34
21 He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? 22For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ 24And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. 25For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’
26 He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’
30 He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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