The parable of the mustard seed

 

When Jesus sent his Apostles out on their first mission, he instructed them to proclaim the good news, ''The kingdom of heaven is near.'' (Matthew 10:7) The small group of Jesus' first followers must have wondered how they were to bring the kingdom nearer into their occupied and oppressed country. So the words that Jesus spoke to them in the two parables that we hear today must have been encouraging. He tells them that the kingdom is like a tiny mustard seed but that it will grow to be a large tree which will been a source of shelter for many. Don't worry that you are a small group; this it just a beginning and I will be with you always so that through you my saving presence in the world will grow. He uses another well known household example, the yeast which makes the bread rise to teach the same thing. We know that the kingdom is not the same as the church. Wherever goodness, peace, love and unity exists there is the kingdom. That is what Jesus wants for everyone. So those who are following Jesus today and living according to his gospel values are those who are especially called to be witness to the Kingdom. On one hand, our task is easy as we constantly come into contact with so many good people. But on the other hand, we are devastated by the evil that we see that is allowing children to die of starvation in Gaza. Help us not to be discouraged, Lord. You were killed but you rose again filling us with hope. May we be like mustard seeds and leaven in the dough as we strive to show that living the values of your kingdom will bring more goodness into our surroundings.