This weekend Jesus gives three parables on the Kingdom of God: the wheat and the weed, mustard seed and yeast. Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to small things with great potentiality to develop and grow: seed and the yeast.
The seeds are small, and they can transform into a mighty tree. They can multiply over time into vast forest, giving life and shelter to a whole ecosystem. Once the tree is born, once the forest is standing, we cannot see the seed. Yet, without a seed we would not have the forest.
The kingdom of God exercises its powerful presence from within, not from without. Like the yeast is an active ingredient in the flour, so we are called to be in our neighbourhoods as an active ingredient.
We are in this process of parish renewal Jesus gives us the thought ‘without seed there is no tree, without yeast there is no bread.’ No matter how small our efforts are, the kingdom of God will not grow or spread without us.
We are called to actively engage in bringing God’s message, the message of the Gospel. Our weak effort of parish renewal can make a big impact in the life of our community, like the mustard seed and the small quantity of yeast is seemingly irrelevant.
Pope Francis: God does not come in a way that attracts attention. It is not a show. God’s way is the way of the seed, of the yeast.
The kingdom of God grows in a hidden way, until it bears fruit. Jesus did not enter the world with a bang. He was born in a manger. His message of the liberation reached the ends of the universe.
It was Mary, an unimportant young girl, who made it possible for us to be saved.
Prayer focus: Our parish renewal is a seed, yeast. An expression of the kingdom of heaven in our area.
Action plan: Take courage, sow abundantly, never write off anyone!
Fr Vijay CRS