Things kept secret from the foundation of the world

Another parable he put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."

Another parable he spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable he did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

"I will open my mouth in parables;

I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."

- Matthew 13:31-35

Here in Matthew's gospel Jesus continues preaching in parables, opening up the idea that this is the way he will teach the multitudes. We began with the Parable of the Sower (see See Why do you speak to them in parables? and Therefore hear the parable of the sower ), and continued with the parable of the Wheat and the Tares. In today's reading, Jesus expands on the nature of the kingdom with new parables, the story of the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven.

My study bible has a note on the two parables taught today: "These two short parables signify the startling success of God's Kingdom. A few weak fishermen will convert the whole world because of the divine power of the gospel." Let us examine the two parables for today's reading.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." I love the parable of the mustard seed, because it gives us another perspective on sowing and harvesting. Each of the parables Jesus has taught in this sequence of readings (the Sower, the Wheat and the Tares, the Mustard Seed) has given us a glimpse of an aspect of the kingdom, of the word Jesus is teaching and preaching, his good news. In this one, sowing and harvesting is shown to the effect of giving us a glimpse of the power of its growth. The mustard seed does not exactly become a tree but rather a great and sturdy shrub, so indeed the birds can nest in its branches. This parable is not only about the great growth of the kingdom in the world, but also can be likened to its growth in us. Once it takes root in the heart, there is no telling how far it can spread in our own awareness and growth, and the power of what we can do in turn to bring it to others through active works of love in myriad forms. The image of the birds of the air taking nest in the branches gives me a picture of safe haven for the gentle things, including angelic presence. It is a vivid, wonderful image of the capacity hidden in the tiny seeds, in the word of the gospel.

"The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." This, again, is a powerful metaphor about growth - and transformation. Leaven is a transforming agent, that once mixed in any form of dough creates an action of change: usually lightening and softening because of the enzymatic action of the leaven, transforming the entire quantity of meal in the parable. Once again, we are to understand Jesus' words, his gospel, as a powerful agent of transformation - within a community, within the world, within ourselves. In this case, perhaps a few people (such as the apostles) will transform a community, and the known world. Its measured start creates immeasurable effects that transform the whole. It is a story of energy and power contained in this agent of change, and the effects it creates.

Finally, we are given a quotation: "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world." It is from Psalm 78:2. Jesus explains once again the power of his teaching in parables. He reveals what has not been revealed - through language that speaks to the inmost self that perceives spiritual reality. This leaven, and the mustard seed, as he has explained through his parables, is something that must take hold in us. We are capable of understanding at once through this transformational activity, and at the same time through our own deep hidden choices. Somewhere in our hearts, we ask to know, to receive, our hearts are open to wisdom. The notion of hard-heartedness, again, must be reviewed. We ask and we shall receive. If we refuse, if we do not want to know or to perceive spiritual wisdom (and of course this includes an understanding of love and relationship), then we are "hard-hearted." We take all the parables together that we have so far received, and we understand the rootedness of the seeds, the fermentation and transformational activity of the leaven, the powerful growth of the mustard seed. It all begins with our "yes" to the action of grace, when we open the door of our hearts. How will this seed take root in you? How will you embrace the transforming action of the leaven? These are the questions that, to me, Jesus asks of all of us. At the same time, he is teaching about its powerful growth - the reality of the kingdom is one that takes on the world and transforms and builds. The myriad birds of the air that may make their nests in the mustard "tree" testify to the new forms of holiness, the gifts that can be received. Its ever-growing nature is in the transforming agent of the leaven: as we are changed, as community changes and grows, we will see its action, its bubbles permeating and transforming, lightening and softening, growing new action and new forms of holiness in its effect.

How does growth and transformation affect your life? To what new things do you open the door when you receive the word, in faith? This is an ongoing process, not one written in stone - static and complete in one fell swoop. No, it is something that takes hold, and grows, with a growth that never stops as long as we keep saying our "yes" to its grace. Its growth will surprise us, and what we can do in its spirit can amaze. Be that sturdy shrub with its branches, allow its leaven to permeate, and see what it can do in you, and in your life.