Gospel Reading – Matthew 13: 31-35
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’
He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’ Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth to speak in parables’.
The Gospel of the Lord
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Reflection
Jesus’ words exude optimism: the kingdom is a small seed, the smallest one, that grows into a big tree. Do we share that optimism, based on faith, or are we the eternal doubters, looking for signs that dispense with the need of faith and trust? I look around me and inside me at the signs of the presence of the kingdom, often very small but strong and growing.
Jesus’ words exude optimism: the kingdom is a small seed, the smallest one, that grows into a big tree. Do we share that optimism, based on faith, or are we the eternal doubters, looking for signs that dispense with the need of faith and trust? I look around me and inside me at the signs of the presence of the kingdom, often very small but strong and growing.
Again, the quantity of yeast is small, yet its effect is much bigger than its size. For this to happen, the yeast must be at one with the rest of the dough, and even the smallest of separations would render it ineffective. Outwardly it loses its identity, in fact it is the only way it can fulfil its mission. How true this is of the Church and of its mission. I pray that the Church may grow closer to the Kingdom, to fulfil its mission of bringing the Good News to all nations.
- Each parable is a mustard seed or yeast, needing only my receptive heart and mind to consider its meaning and to allow the insight of Jesus to shape and direct me. Is my heart and soul open to the call of Jesus?
