Small Beginnings

Gospel Reflection for Tuesday Oct. 29th, 2024 - Luke 13:18-21

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.”

In today’s gospel we find Jesus describing for us what the Kingdom of God is like - a mustard seed, and yeast.

I don’t know how much you know about mustard plants but many gardeners consider it a weed. If one tiny seed gets into your garden, and blooms, watch out, it can quickly spread and take over. The same is true with yeast, it spreads quickly, and a little goes a long way as it quickly takes over the dough.

The tiny mustard seed. It’s hard to imagine such a tiny seed could grow into such a pervasive force. It’s large branches spreading out, creating space for the birds in the air to shelter.

And that yeast, spreading to all corners of the dough - quickly lifting it, diligently preparing it before it is baked in an oven.

It may seem like simple parables and yet Jesus is describing for us the profound nature of our faith. How small, humble, seemingly insignificant beginnings can spread far beyond what we can imagine in the moment. That they can be means by which God’s grace permeates the hearts and minds of people around the globe, bringing the Good News to all.

I don’t know about you but I find this incredibly encouraging, and take great comfort in these parables. I’m no great saint, my faith is fragile on the best of days, I struggle with sin as much as the next person, my time is very limited as a mother to three children and yet…

And yet, God can take what little faith I have to offer, the small amount of time I can give, all that I am, warts, wrinkles, and all, and multiply it. He can use my pittance to build His Kingdom. That if I simply surrender myself daily to Him, offer up what I can, that that is enough. That small seed of faith can grow, spread, and overcome. That tiny amount yeast can reach a great distance and touch the lives of people both near and far.

This is our faith.

Small yet powerful. Humble yet transformative.

I invite you to offer this up to our Lord today, and ask Him in what ways is He asking you to help build His kingdom.

The parable of the mustard seed is illustrated in this 17th century etching by Jan Luyken