Reflection
Like the past two days, Jesus teaches using a parable in today’s Gospel. And again today, the Word of God is described as a “seed.” Why a seed?
In Wednesday’s parable, Jesus spoke about the sowing of the seed and how it is rejected or welcomed by someone. This parable teaches us that God generously sows everywhere, almost indifferent to how people will welcome his Word. The main contrast is between those who do not bear lasting fruit in the Kingdom and those who do. The parable invites us to reflect on how we respond to God’s Word: indifferently, superficially, half-heartedly, or as we should.
The second parable, which we read today, focuses not on the sowing of the seed and how it is rejected or welcomed, but on its mysterious growth. Just as a farmer is not the primary cause of the growth of the seed, we are not the primary cause of the growth of the Kingdom of God. We are only secondary and collaborating causes. The seed needs the heat of the sun, time deep in the earth, nutrients, and water. A disciple of Jesus, like the farmer, can facilitate these elements of growth, but always occupies a subordinate role. The entire process of a seed becoming a living plant remains mysterious and beyond our understanding. In the same way, the growth of the Kingdom of God in the world is primarily and mysteriously caused by God and only secondarily caused by our collaboration.
The third parable, also from today’s Gospel, focuses not on the sowing of the seed or how it mysteriously grows, but on the result of the seed. The Kingdom is compared to a mustard seed, one of the smallest seeds. The Kingdom of God, Jesus predicts, will be small in its beginning but grow, like a mustard seed, into a very large and invasive plant. If we look at history, we see how this prophecy of Jesus has been fulfilled. The Kingdom of God was so small in the beginning – just twelve apostles, several dozen disciples, and a group of women who provided for Jesus and his disciples. Over two thousand years later, the Kingdom has grown to international dimensions. The birds of the sky that dwell in the branches of the mustard plant are an image of the Gentile nations dwelling in the Church, which is the fruit of the Kingdom of God on earth.
The journey of the seed, as presented in these parables, is the same journey of our personal conversion to the Heart of Christ. We receive God’s Word as the seed of eternal life. We are free to accept or reject it. Our faith in the Kingdom of God then grows based on our interior condition, the help of others, and the mysterious power of God through the Church and His Sacraments. Ultimately, we begin to bear fruit as part of Mother Church, collaborating with her to spread the love of God to others.
Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection
How is the Kingdom of God growing in my life?
Source for today’s reflection: https://epriest.com/reflections/view/3326