Add to the Kingdom

Gospel Reflection for October 25, 2022

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.” (Luke 13:18-21)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us what the Kingdom of God is like. Interestingly, he does not describe it to us by using sensory descriptions such as what it would look like or what we would experience there. Instead, he indicates that it is alive, brought about by the actions that promote growth. He does not say that the Kingdom of God is pre-constructed in the heavens by our Father, but instead indicates that Man has a role in growing and raising the Kingdom. A man can use a tiny seed that God has provided for him, work to plant it in fertile ground, and it will eventually become much larger than the original seed, growing so big that it is able to provide shelter and shade. A woman can take tiny bits of yeast that God provides for her and work it into lifeless wheat, and it will rise and feed many more than the original measures of flour. We can individually take the tiny flame of God that is enkindled in each of us and use it to grow the Kingdom of God by igniting those around us, and this will eventually grow into a blaze bigger than our single flame. God calls us to take an active part in growing the Kingdom of God by using the smallest gifts that are given to us. We are not called to sit idle until we enter the Kingdom. We are called to take an active role in our faith and to grow the Kingdom by working seeds and yeast into the world around us. 

Copyright 2022 Jessica Tucker