The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Today's Reflections

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

 graceandspace.org

Mt 13:31-35

³¹[Jesus] proposed [a] parable to [the crowds]. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. ³²It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’ ”

³³He spoke to them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

³⁴All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, ³⁵to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:/ “I will open my mouth in parables,/ I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation [of the world].”

Reflection:

Mustard seed, the yeast. The mustard seed and the yeast are both small and insignificant. But in the end the smallest seed turns out to be the largest bush, and the yeast mixed with wheat flour becomes a whole batch of leavened bread.

The Lord teaches us that insignificant things can turn out to be important, the ordinary can be special. Whoever we are, and whatever we have, we are valuable in the eyes of God. We are special despite appearances to the contrary.

Jesus also teaches that there is always room for change, growth, or improvement. We should not resign to our situation. We can progress with the Lord. Remember, God will not give up on us. God will do everything so we can move forward and grow in his grace.

Are we proud of our small beginnings?

Are we working hard to move forward,

to grow more for God and for our community?