Growth and the Kingdom of heaven

A mustard seed, a sower and seed, weeds and wheat, angels, a Kingdom, a fiery furnace, sin and evildoers, a buried treasure, a search for fine pearls, , and yeast in dough.

These are the wonderful images from everyday ancient Palestinian life and from nature itself that we find this week in the parables of Jesus and his teaching on what the Kingdom of heaven is like. In addition we hear of rich Biblical images such as angels, sin and evildoers. This is not something random without meaning. This is at the root of Jesus’ teaching. So, we are taken to the 13th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel this week.

What if we tried to exchange symbols of today? We are so focused on technology and science that it simply would not have the same effect: The Kingdom of heaven is like a micro-chip, a gigabyte, a computer memory? The mystery of the Kingdom of God would be an even greater mystery! The natural images are timeless.

Pope Benedict XVI in his book, Jesus of Nazareth made an interesting explanation of the Greek word, evangelion. He states that it was a term familiar to Roman emperors who saw themselves as “lords, saviors, and redeemers of the world.” (JN, p. 46). The idea was that what message the emperor gave, it was a saving message, “that it is not just a piece of news but a change of the world for the better.” (JN, p. 47). From our Christian perspective, in the person of Jesus our King, it truly means what it says.

When we speak of the good news, evangelion, of Jesus Christ who came among us a humble shepherd and the lamb of God, these familiar images taken from everyday life are profound in meaning of how the mission of Christ, despite fierce opposition at times, will not be wiped out but will grow and produce an abundance of amazing harvest and success: like a mustard seed, like yeast in a great quantity of dough, like the seed which falls on rich soil.

But what sort of farmer, one who makes his livelihood by the produce of the land, would not want that land to be rich and productive? Why would one leave weeds to grow among wheat; choking off life and nutrients? What kind of reason is that? One cannot see these as literal but rather as illustrative comparisons between Christian truths and everyday life.

The evangelion, the message of the Gospel and its effects, are like a mustard seed which grows to be the “largest of plants.” The black mustard seed plant grew to about nine feet tall.

It is like yeast “that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour.” Do you know how many people could be fed with three measures of flour? About a hundred people! Remember the water turned wine during the wedding at Cana (John 2: 1-12)? How much water to wine did Jesus turn – approximately 180 gallons of the finest vintage. Now that’s some party.

The Kingdom of God is marked by plenty; by small things made large and great; by overcoming obstacles and by growth that is pre-determined in the power of the Holy Spirit. When God decides to do something – there’s no stopping him. Even under the heavy handed rule of the Soviet Union, in the midst of terror and persecution, the faith was not wiped out but still produces fruit today.

Jesus is that Kingdom and he is here among us – every day and every moment in time and space. He has come, his evangelion continues to grow and produce fruit in the hearts and lives of those who turn away from sin and make the soil of their lives fertile.

But, yes, it will take a life time. Plowing, rooting out sin, increase in virtue, keep ones eyes fixed on the Lord of life, stay close to the Church and the Word of God, the sacraments – it’s a life time of effort and a life time of growth.

Christianity has gone from an initial tiny group of twelve somewhat timid, confused, loyal and disloyal but eventually convicted Apostles of Jesus the Christ, to a global family of several billion followers in the space of a little over 2,000 years. Tragically, though, we’ve been separated for 500 years, yet still united on fundamentals of the Trinity, the nature of Jesus the Christ and the truth of the Word of God.

We still need to refine and cultivate the soil of our daily lives. The evangelion (the call of evangelization) of Jesus is an invitation for all. If God can produce such growth with his message what can he do with our lives? The time is now to till the soil. Matthew 13 is rich in sign and a good source for prayer and reflection.