GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 13:31-3531 Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all 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." 33 He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." 34 All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world."
Meditation: What can mustard seeds and leaven teach us
about the kingdom of God? The tiny mustard seed literally grew to
be a tree which attracted numerous birds because they loved the
little black mustard seed it produced. God's kingdom works in a
similar fashion. It starts from the smallest beginnings in the
hearts of men and women who are receptive to God's word. And
it works unseen and causes a transformation from within.
Hidden power of transforming seeds and leaven
Leaven is another powerful agent of change. A lump of dough left
to itself remains just what it is, a lump of dough. But when the
leaven is added to it a transformation takes place which produces
rich and wholesome bread when heated - the staple of life for
humans.
God's word has power to transforms us
The kingdom of God produces a transformation in those who receive
the new life which Jesus Christ offers. When we yield our lives to
Jesus Christ and allow his word to take root in our heart, we are
transformed and made holy by the power of the Holy Spirit who
dwells in us. Paul the Apostle says, "we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to
God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Do you believe in the
transforming power of the Holy Spirit?
Heavenly Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and transform me into the Christ-like holiness you desire. Increase my zeal for your kingdom and instill in me a holy desire to live for your greater glory.
Psalm 145:8-9,15-18
8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand, you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
18 The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: A small seed produces a great tree, by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD)
"Therefore he brought forward the similitude of this herb, which
has a very strong resemblance to the kingdom of heaven. It indeed
is 'the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the
greatest among herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the
air come and lodge in the branches thereof.'
Thus he meant to set forth the most decisive sign of its
greatness. 'Even so then shall it also be with respect to the
gospel,' he says. For his disciples were weakest of all and least
of all. Nevertheless, because of the great power that was in them,
it has grown and been unfolded in every part of the world." (excerpt from the THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW,
HOMILY 46.2)
