MUSTARD SEED AND LEAVEN

Monday, 17^th Week in Ordinary Time

            The parables of the mustard seed and the leaven underline the contrast between humble beginnings and unexpected endings. They are a description of the growth of the kingdom of God. Given the chance to be planted like a mustard seed or to be mixed like leaven in our lives and in our world, no matter how small, no matter how seemingly insignificant, the kingdom of God can have great fruits and results.

            We are to let the seed of the Kingdom be planted in us; we are to let the leaven of the Kingdom be mixed in our lives. We have to allow the seed and the yeast of the Kingdom be of greater influence in our lives and make a radical difference in our environment. How are we to plant the seed of the Kingdom in practical terms? By giving affirmation to those who are doing good, admiration to those who are trying hard to be good, inspiration to our loved ones, direction to the lost and confused. How are we to mix the leaven of the Kingdom in practical terms? By teaching the young ones, not by words but by good example –particularly about the importance and necessity of praying, of giving one’s full, conscious and active participation at Mass, of being attentive to one’s spiritual hungers and needs.

            There is one area where we badly need to plant the seed and mix the yeast of the kingdom of God –I hope and pray we take this seriously: social media. Use Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and even Viber to scatter the seeds of goodness and kindness, of honesty and fairness, of understanding and tolerance, of mercy and compassion. Use them to promote the kingdom of God, and not someone else’s kingdom. Use them to spread the good news of God’s love, and not fake news, gossips and scandals. Use them to share your personal experience of the Lord, and not just what you eat, what you buy, where you go. Use them to convey what the Lord wants to say, and not just what you want to say. Use them to promote the gospel values of simplicity and trust in the divine providence, and not the distorted values of materialism.

            Remember this: Every good deed expands God’s kingdom and brings it to fruition and fulfillment. A single act of goodness, although performed in silence, brings God’s kingdom nearer to realization.