MUSTARD SEED

The Holy Bible says, “Don’t laugh at a man who has been humiliated. It is the Lord who humbles a person, but the Lord also raises him up again.” (Sirach 7:11)

Jesus told them another parable: The Kingdom of Heaven is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and sows it in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up, it is the biggest of all plants. It becomes a tree, so that birds come and make their nests in its branches.”

(Matthew 13:31-32)

Lord Jesus through this portion of the Holy Scripture explains the Mission of Salvation, the Supreme God has entrusted Him with.

When a man scatters a tiny seed in the soil, it went on to grow to be a huge tree which birds nestle, offering not only shade but comfort to all who approached it.

How surprising is the Miracle of God!

Let us highly honor and thank the Almighty for the greatest Miracle of His Supreme Plan through His Son, through which God decided to draw the whole universe to Himself.

Christ Jesus is the visible likeness of the invisible and is the first born Son, superior to all His created things.

Jesus came to this earth as a mustard seed. The sheer poverty of swaddling cloth was conferred to wrap his infancy.  Bestowed with the cheap nickname as a friend of sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors; He attained the sins and curses of all mankind; consequently turning into smallest among the smaller mustard seeds.

His life began as poor as everyone; but at the final stage He was lifted up to the highest position clothed with all glory, power and magnificence.

Let us flashback to the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in the Old Testament. While the king was asleep, he dreamt a huge tree in the middle of the earth. It grew bigger and bigger until it reached the sky and could be seen by everyone in the world. Its leaves were beautiful and it was loaded down with fruit—enough for the whole world to eat. Wild animals rested in its shade, birds build nests in its branches, and every kind of living being ate its fruit. (Daniel 4)

Similarly, our Lord’s mission grew so high, spreading peace and joy world-wide; He overcame the depths of the earth, triumphant and now hailed as the Glorious Risen Lord who lives forever and ever.

Though He was smeared with simplicity, having nothing to attract, mere small and simple as could be; yet when He resisted and overcame the bondages; Jesus’ growth was boundless that none could nurture.

Like the cedar tree that stood in Lebanon as a symbol of goodness so is the commencement and growth of the Kingdom of Heaven.

How small and simple is a mustard seed?

Simple and unappealing as you may be, might as well be thinking how can we contribute towards the role of Messenger of God.

The Loving Lord says to each one of us to begin our life in simplicity with an aim based on the production of Glorious Fruit that is excellent, pleasing to God and can be enjoyed by all mankind.

The way towards the produce of Glorious Fruit may possibly be hard to toil with the continuous bitter thoughts, deeds and actions of your loved ones, scattered with painful thorns. These constant sufferings will drive you to the shore of loneliness and valley of emptiness. Insult, rejections and false accusations will await you wherever you go. Don’t worry if you feel that you are nothing less than the stagnant waste, no one wants to keep in their home. Your Strive towards progress may be pushed down; and you may feel that a wile worm is better off that you.

Here Victory awaits you in the Lord!

Never be discouraged or give up your hard work. Resist the evil, hold onto your deeds; fix both your eyes and ears to the Lord who conquered temptations. Forgive and forget patiently the thunders, storms etc., of the dark night because your Bright Hope comes from the Victorious Risen Lord.

Thus, when the flowers bloom and produce fruits through your hardships, sufferings and patience will go all over the world to be a bouquet of comfort and solace for all and you will continue your aim to grow into a big tree and stand amongst and alongside the disciples of the Lord.

The birds a symbol of refugees and helpless ones will take shelter in your branches as you continue growing to be the tallest and widest tree; bearing and sharing the best fruit- (Eternal Love) and giving it away in abundance to all creation.

The foundation of the Kingdom of Heaven originates from humility.

The exemplary life of Lord Jesus’ teachings educate us the Will of our Heavenly Father.

The grace of the Kingdom of Heaven continue when we strive to be the smallest among the seeds and when God nourishes and nurtures us to grow into  a cedar tree in His time.

Lord Jesus humbled down for us, so that we may grow. So let us also humble ourselves with an intention that Jesus will grow and reflect in us.

When we are coated by God in poverty, sickness and all other failures how do we react?

Do we disgrace our God with habit of cursing our fate in emotions like hate, anger etc., destroying ourselves and others.

OR

On the other hand, take this as an opportunity from God to humble ourselves, accepting this phases of life submissive at His feet, inhaling His peace and Love.

Turn to reading and learning the Word of God, seeking comfort and courage to strengthen our roots, and grow to enjoy the real Kingdom of Heaven.

Remember there are two options above. It is your preference which one to choose, just yours alone.

Can we not compare our struggles and sufferings to a mustard seed i.e Lord Jesus than highlighting the biggest storms and waves?

Intercede to Mother Mary to come out from our egoistic nature; to gaze at the Divine Lord and say, “May Your will be done because everything is possible to You.”

“All things are done according to God’s plan and decision; and God chose us to be His own people in union with Christ because of His own purpose, based on what He had decided from the very beginning.” (Ephesians 1:11)

With loved filled Blessings
Your Sister in Christ