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We are called to embrace smallness and hiddenness. Our human way of thinking tends to assume that only the noisey a visible things in this world are effective. Only those who dominate seem to be doing anything. Those with quiet faith seem to be at the mercy of those who will have nothing to do with the humility of the hidden. But this is an illusion.
The Kingdom works even when it has only the visibility of a mustard seed, meaning virtually none. The smallness does nothing to hinder the inexorable growth. It works like yeast which has an effect on the dough that is disproportionate to the amount mixed in. This hiddenness is not only not a hindrance it actually facilitates true success. That is why we are encouraged to keep our prayer life hidden and to not let our left hand know when our right hand is doing charity.
One place where this lesson needs to be applied is in obedience. In our relations with one another our obedience often feels like anything but the occasion of grace. This is especially true when we feel those to whom are subordinate are imperfect. This seems like a recipe for disaster. Perhaps we feel like we are subordinating the more perfect to the less. Not to exclude the possibility of situations in which obedience cannot be given, most of the time even obedience to the imperfect is the occasion of immense grace. But it is hidden by the very nature of the relationship.
Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.
We are called to be small enough to be servants. We must not be so prideful to insist on being served ourselves. Even our roles of leadership are called to be service. We follow the one who came not to be served but to serve. Jesus himself was such a servant first in order to teach us how to live the call.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the Church
Let us flee from all desire to dominate and live instead in the fear of the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
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