Monday, July 28, 2025
Ex 32:15-24, 30-34; Mt 13:31-35
Today’s Gospel highlights the ever-growing and transforming power of God’s Kingdom.
The parables of the mustard seed and leaven are known as the Parables of the Kingdom. In addition, they are also known as ‘springtime parables’ as they signify growth and transformation. The two parables underscore the hidden but powerful work of the Kingdom of God.
The imagery of the mustard seed was proverbial in Jewish culture for being the smallest seed. However, Jesus transforms the proverbial use by pointing to its potential for rapid growth. In other words, Jesus means that the Kingdom starts small, but its mammoth growth will be hidden, gradual, and organic. The tree will grow so big that the birds of the air (referring to the inclusive nature of God’s Kingdom) will find refuge in it.
Likewise, the imagery of the leaven points to a pervasive and transformative influence of the Kingdom. For Jesus, leaven signifies the total transformation that the Kingdom will bring to the world. Like the growth of the mustard seed, the leaven’s work will be hidden and subtle but unstoppable. Jesus presents yeast as an example of the Kingdom whose growth and spread will be invisible but thorough, transforming peoples, societies, and cultures.
In giving us the parables of the Kingdom, Jesus implies that God’s ministers should not be discouraged or disillusioned by the humble beginnings. Instead, we are called to believe that if it is God’s mission, God will bring the increase. We need to trust the quiet influence of God and rest assured that what God plants will grow beyond our expectations.
Let us pray that we may have faith in God’s hidden but transformative work.
Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar
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Very meaningful fr