30-Jul-18

Gospel MT 13:31-35
Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds.
"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.'"
He spoke to them another parable.
"The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast
that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch was leavened."
All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.
He spoke to them only in parables,
to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:
I will open my mouth in parables,
I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation
of the world.
Reflection:
"Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds."
Parables are stories that teach a lesson. Jesus is the master of parables.
Today in the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast, Jesus teaches us about God's ability to multiply many times over our small efforts to spread His love.
A tiny "mustard seed" of love can bring about heaven on earth.
The smallest bit of the "yeast" of love can permeate the entire loaf and make the world into a godly paradise.
If we just give a tiny bit of His love away by helping others than God's love will grow beyond our wildest imagination.
I have seen it happen.
For over 50 years the Holy Cross Retreat House has welcomed women and men who came seeking the love of God. Having found God's love, they went forth and gave it away to others, who in turn came and did the same.
My Brother's Keeper started as the smallest of seeds. Yet, in over 30 years
it's number have grown from two people to over 4000.
In the process, over 140,000 people have received help and learned that Christ was the delivery man.
Today's gospel message is true. Never underestimate what God can produce from the smallest gift of your time and your love.
"God's love grows each time you give it away." Unknown