The Smallest of All Seeds

July 20, 2008

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; And you gave your sons good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins. Wisdom 12:18-119

He proposed another parable to them. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the 'birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'" Matthew 13: 31-32

Piety

Psalm 86:11-17

Teach me, LORD, your way that I may walk in your truth, single-hearted and revering your name. I will praise you with all my heart, glorify your name forever, Lord my God. Your love for me is great; you have rescued me from the depths of Sheol. O God, the arrogant have risen against me; a ruthless band has sought my life; to you they pay no heed. But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, most loving and true. Turn to me, have pity on me; give your strength to your servant; save this child of your handmaid. Give me a sign of your favor: make my enemies see, to their confusion, that you, LORD, help and comfort me. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/072008.shtml

Over the past few weeks, we have read about all kinds of warnings and threats that the Lord made in the Hebrew Bible to those who turned their backs on the Lord. Amos. Kings. Isaiah. Micah. Wisdom. The books change but human behavior does not. People do as they wish and ignore the commandments of the Lord often at the peril of their neighbors and enemies. The Lord continues to send warnings through the prophets that darkness and famine will come upon the land. The more He called, the farther away they went.

Enter Jesus. As he takes center stage in the New Testament, the Pharisees carry on the great tradition of self-indulgence, greed and sin. When Jesus appears to threaten their power and status, they are no longer content just ignoring the warning as their ancestors did. Instead, the Pharisees turn up the heat and begin to plot against Jesus.

This is happening against a backdrop in which Jesus turns up the heat on the messaqge (Love your enemies. Be perfect as my Father is perfect. I desire mercy, not sacrifice.) But beyond that, he has a mission that goes beyond all the prophets. He is there not only to deliver the prophetic vision of the Kingdom, but also to bring forth the Father's love and mercy and lenience as the reading from Wisdom reminds us. And he will do that by taking on his back not only the Roman cross but also all of our sins throughout history. These will be forgiven in His persona and in his life. Jesus is sent to pay the price for us, for all of our sins. We are not asked to pay that price. He takes on all of our debts and wipes the slate clean.

Just as Jesus replaces our sins, he also replaces our responsibilities and asks us to follow him in the path of grace and forgiveness, humility and obedience. Not only does Jesus bring forgiveness, but he also sets a place for us in his father's house. Just as the mustard seed grows into a great bush that provides housing to the birds, Jesus' love grows into a great Kingdom that provides a place for us to dwell.

All he asks is, "Follow me." As Jesus exits, are you ready for your close-up? The stage is empty for your appearance. It's time to leave the protective shelter of the mustard bush and stretch your wings to help make this a greater world.

Action

Add a little mustard to your food today. Take the tangy sweetness that it adds to the flavor.

Remember how bland the food would taste without that additional spice.

Think of how Jesus has added some spice to your life. Rather than be complacent, he asks to do some hard things. Turn in our pride for humility. Turn in our self-reliance for Jesus reliance.