MUSTARD SEED

July 28, 2025 Monday within the 17th in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 13:31–35 In this Gospel passage, Jesus presents two powerful images—the mustard seed and the yeast—to reveal something essential about the nature of the Kingdom of God. Both images speak of smallness, hiddenness, and transformation. In the mustard seed, we see the paradox of divine power: the smallest of seeds becomes a great tree. In the yeast, we encounter the quiet but total transformation of the dough. These are not just agricultural metaphors—they are theological truths about how God works. The Kingdom of God does not begin with spectacle or force. It begins with the seemingly insignificant—a whisper of hope, a hidden act of love, a seed of grace planted in the heart. This is a profound revelation about the nature of God’s reign: it is not imposed from above but grows from within. God’s way is not domination but transformation. The mustard seed reminds us of the power of small beginnings; the yeast reminds us that true change is internal and pervasive. Theologically, this reflects the kenosis of Christ—God emptying Himself to take the form of a servant (Phil 2:7). The Kingdom follows the same pattern: from humility comes glory. Moreover, Jesus’ use of parables fulfills what was spoken through the prophets—revealing truths hidden from the foundation of the world. This highlights another key theological point: revelation is progressive. God reveals the mystery of His Kingdom not in an instant, but in time, through experience, and often in parables that require openness and contemplation. The seed and the yeast are not just signs of growth; they are invitations to trust in the hidden work of grace. We may not always see the results, but if we remain faithful, we can be assured that God’s Kingdom is growing—within us, among us, and through us. Blessings Fr. Jhack