Even though your faith be as small as a seed, it can grow into a huge tree

Reflection on the readings for Mass Friday 1^st February 2013

I admit this is a parable with deep meaning that I only recently understood. There is a lot not easily understood at first reading. For instance Jesus said the mustard tree is the biggest of all the trees. Now I have never seen a mustard tree, in fact I didn't even know you get mustard from a tree! I grew up having Keen's mustard out of a jar on our ham sandwiches not even wondering how it got there. The mustard tree, I came to realise is not much taller than a grown man so how could Jesus describe it as being so big? Some commentators suggest that in the dry arid area of Palestine where Jesus was preaching, the trees couldn't get much depth and therefore did not grow very high. Therefore the birds building their nests in its branches would not be that far away from any earth-bound predator.

Anyway, that being said, let's look at what Jesus did mean when he used the mustard seeds as a parable of the growth that is possible for one tiny speck of faith.

Meditation:

I think the one central truth the parable is attempting to teach is how the kingdom will develop from the smallest of beginnings into something that will be greater than anyone could have imagined from the outset.
Jesus says there's this mustard seed, and it's a tiny speck of a seed, seeming so insignificant when it's sown. But eventually it grows into this six to ten foot plant that has these large branches that produce all this shade. Jesus is dealing with the fact that His followers may feel like this seed is very insignificant. With all that was going on in the Roman Empire, here's this little group of people gathered together. It may have felt like their seed was so insignificant. What difference could it make?
What difference could it make? Do you realize every person that has trusted Jesus as Savior can trace his/her spiritual roots back to one of these people sitting in the room with Jesus on that day? It may have seemed like a little, insignificant seed, but it changed the world, literally changed the world. So it may feel like your sowing of the seed is very insignificant ­ what could possibly come of this? Well, an eternal harvest, for one thing, as God takes these little seeds that are sown, and He builds His kingdom.

What can mustard seeds 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. Just as a seed has no power to change itself until it is planted in the ground, so we cannot change our lives to be like God until God gives us the power of his Holy Spirit. The Lord of the Universe is ever ready to transform us by the power of his Spirit. Are you ready to let God change you by his grace and power?

The kingdom of God produces a transformation in those who receive the new life which Jesus Christ offers. When we yield to Jesus Christ, our lives are transformed 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?

"Lord Jesus, 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."

The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2013. Their website is located at presentationministries.com

GETTING A PERM

"You even joined in the sufferings of those who were in prison and joyfully assented to the confiscation of your goods, knowing that you had better and more permanent possessions." —Hebrews 10:34

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed: it begins very small (Mark 4:31). Furthermore, the kingdom of God stays small for a long time because it grows slowly (see Mark 4:27). Usually small, slow things are not successful, but the kingdom of God is and will be the most successful of all kingdoms. The secret is its permanence. It may be slow and small, but when the fast and the big pass away, God's kingdom will still be growing slowly. As a member of God's kingdom, is your life permanently founded on the rock of obedience to God's unchanging word? (Matt 7:24; Lk 21:33) Do you have "better and more permanent possessions" than material goods? (Heb 10:34) Have you been "solicitous to make your call and election permanent?" (2 Peter 1:10) The psalmist proclaims: "Permanence is Your word's chief trait" (Psalm 119:160). It may also be the chief trait of God's kingdom. It can be a chief trait of your life. Give yourself totally to God. Become His permanent possession.

Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to renew my Confirmation.

Promise: "Do not, then, surrender your confidence; it will have great reward." —Heb 10:35