Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
One of my favorite things that I like to do with my grandson is read books. One of his favorite (and mine as well) is the story of “The Little Blue Truck.” The story is fun because of all of the “sounds” that are used to describe the details of the truck’s adventure, but at the heart of the story is the truth about helping others in need. Many of the story books that we read for children remind me of Jesus and his use of parables to share His truths and teachings. By using common everyday experiences Jesus allows all people to be able to reflect on the meaning of these stories and find truth. Although Jesus could simple state as a fact-the messages He hopes to convey, by placing them in story form as parables He reveals divine truths hidden in the midst of human experiences.
Today’s reading includes two parables both describing the Kingdom of God. The first is the story of the tiny mustard seed which grows into a large shrub. When I traveled to Israel I was able to actually see a large mustard bush and the tiny black seeds (the size of a pencil point) that Jesus describes in the story. The people of Jesus’ time would easily understand that the kingdom that He speaks about will grow immensely from a tiny beginning. The story of the yeast and the flour would be another common experience for the Jewish people at this time. Jesus could have easily said, “My kingdom will grow and will spread throughout the world.” Instead, He allows his listeners to hear the story and make a personal connection with the truth He is attempting to share by using common everyday experiences. Matthew tells us that Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables to fulfill what had been said: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.” (Mt. 13: 35) Jesus shares these hidden truths with all people in these simple stories, so that everyone will know that His invitation to join Him has no exceptions.
By using ordinary experiences to describe the Kingdom of God, I think that Jesus is trying to help us recognize that this kingdom is not in another place or time, but is right now if we allow it to be. By living as Disciples of Christ we continue the work of building the kingdom through our lives lived with mercy, compassion, love and service. Not only will we come to find rest and nourishment in His Kingdom, but when we share the love we have been given then other people can find that same rest and strength. We are the sowers of the mustard seed and we are the yeast of the bread- it is through our faith filled lives that the kingdom continues to take shape here on earth. But just like the seed and yeast, we cannot do any of this on our own accord. It is only with the grace of God and His Spirit that we can plant the seeds and leaven the bread that spreads the truths that Jesus has shared with us.
As I reflect on these parables that Jesus tells about the Kingdom of God, I am reminded that throughout the day there are hidden truths that can be found if we remain open and attentive to God. Using mustard seeds, yeast for bread, growing plants, sheep and shepherds, lost coins, growing vines, wedding feasts, salt, and many other common day occurrences, Jesus helps His listeners find glimpses of the divine truths in the ordinary. If I see the world from this perspective, even the story of the “Little Blue Truck” can show me God’s truth reminding me that we are called to help others in need. The difficult task is to remain attentive and open to the ways that God may be revealing His love and His truths throughout each day. If we allow Him to reveal Himself to us, then we can begin to become a conduit for that grace, and through our sharing we can help others to find God in the ordinary as well. The more we seek God and find Him in the ordinary, the more we become aware that the Kingdom of God is all around us.
"Heavenly father, You reveal yourself to us through all of creation but most perfectly through your Son, Jesus. Through the grace of Your Spirit help us to seek You and find You in the stories of our lives. Once transformed by your love, may we help others to seek and find you as well. May we help bring your Kingdom to fruition, and in all we do may we give you glory. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen."
Marylynn Herchline