Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”
Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of
wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
A friend recently posted on her Facebook page notice of the successful completion of her first Triathlon. As someone who is not nearly as athletic and active as I used to be, the concept of long distance swimming, cycling and running seems utterly incomprehensible, even super-human. And yet I know that she, like so many others, started out with small goals, gradually increasing distance and stamina over time.
In today's Gospel, Jesus is telling us something similar about the Kingdom of God. Jesus never really defined just what the "Kindgom of God" IS, but by his actions and ministry, he gave us a good inkling of what components to expect: healing, forgiveness, wholeness, liberation from all that binds us, salvation. And he spoke of the Kingdom of God as a reality that was both being brought about in the present, and something to anticipate in the future. "While the future coming of the reign of God means a profound transformation of all human reality and is a transcendent experience beyond space and time, the inbreaking of that transcendent reality through the mission of Jesus enables people to respond to God's offer of salvation and to be affected by it now, within history." (The New Dictionary of Theology, 1990, The Liturgical Press, Inc)
The "Kingdom of God" may as well be a triathlon for all I can do to bring it about, right? Well in one respect, yes- it can only truly and fully be brought about through God's grace and saving actions. Then again, Jesus gives us these parables. In them, small and seemingly insignificant things quietly play their role, resulting in a new and greater creation. And that new creation, new reality exists for the benefit of all (the 'birds of the air', not just your prized pet parrot!).
- Can you identify a past moment of grace that has affected you, growing with time like the yeast and resulting in abundant blessings?
- What's your mustard seed? How can you bring about healing, forgiveness, or loving kindness in your particular 'garden'?
No comments:
Post a Comment