2 Ordinary: January 14/15, 2023

Many years ago, I was spending  a few days with a friend of mine in Austin, Texas.  After a full and lengthy meal - he had to go off to a meeting - and even though he told me not to bother - I decided to do the dishes.
    After clearing the table and loading the dishwasher – I looked for some soap to put in the dishwasher.  Not finding any, I thought the next best thing would be to just to use regular dish-washing soap - so I put a capful or so in.
After reading for awhile, I came out to check on the progress of the washing cycle – and found soap suds all over the kitchen floor.
I learned two things:  a little bit of dish soap goes a long way — and to never put it in the dishwasher. . .
A little bit goes along way.  Or perhaps another way of saying it – little things can lead to great things. . .
And I think that’s the message of today’s scripture readings. . .  Little things can lead to great things. . .
When the prophet Isaiah arrived on the scene – the nation of Israel and its people were not doing very well.
The surrounding more powerful nations often picked on tiny Israel and - due to their own trust issues and infidelity to God – God allowed the chosen people to be bullied and enslaved as a result of their own sins - even though God loved them dearly.    

Our first reading reminds us that God can do great things with very little – for God never has or ever will - abandon God’s people:  God will raise  Israel up to become a “light to the nations, that God’s salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Likewise in our second reading:  St. Paul is reminding the young Church in Corinth that although right now they are small in number and in power – they are called to be holy - and God will use them to do great things.

Then there is John the Baptist - who lived as more of a hermit with questionable fashion and dietary habits – then as a spokesperson for God.
But God used this obscure desert dweller to put the Pharisees in their place – the people on notice – and the Lord Jesus on his Mission.
The point of all this?  We might get up in the morning, look in the mirror –  and see everything that we are lacking.  We may well wonder what we have to offer those in our lives and those in our part of the world.
But God doesn’t see us that way.  As we have been professing in our Christmas Creed the last several weeks:
If you believe the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible, and whose cradle was a mother’s arms, who looked at persons and made them see what God’s loves saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, 
and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God – then say AMEN!

    God doesn’t see the way we see.  God doesn’t focus on what we seem to lack but on our capacity to love.
    God sees all God designed us to be and all that we can become by the help of grace.
    
    May favorite blogger:  Darren Poke, puts it this way:
    It’s easy to look at the success of others and think that they are a rare breed of person and you could never have the impact that they have.
    It’s easy to look at your skills and capabilities and think that you don’t have much to offer.
    It’s easy to look back at your track record of mediocre results and think that this is your future destiny as well.
    It’s easy to listen to the critics who don’t believe in you, allowing their voices to become the ones you listen to the most.
    But let me encourage you today – to NOT underestimate your potential!
    You have the potential to develop your unique skills to an elite level.
    You have the potential to roll up your sleeves and work hard toward meaningful goals.
    You have the potential to positively influence and inspire the people around you.
    You have the potential to change the world!
    The moment we all realize this and start taking action— we give ourselves the chance to turn our potential into a phenomenal reality.

    God doesn’t see the way we do.  God doesn’t focus on what we seem to lack but on our capacity to love.
    God sees all God designed us to be and all that we can become by the help of grace.
    We are greater than we can ever imagine.  We can become a saint - a true light to the nations - and all God needs is our YES!  So what is our answer going to be??
    
    

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