It is the smallest of all the seeds,
yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants.
This is good to know isn't it? Even if we don't seem to be making a world changing difference we can still have a transformative effect on the world.
The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast
that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch was leavened.
Even if it seems like there are not enough of us compared to the problems the world faces we nevertheless have a disproportionate effect on the world. We don't have to be superheroes. We don't necessarily have to travel the globe, plant churches, convert masses, oppose pagans, and get martyred. We can grow where we are planted.
That the mustard seed and the flour can do so much with so little should really cause us to question more why the world is the way it is. Why isn't it being changed more? These parables might excuse us from a feeling that we should be doing something bigger and better. But they by no means excuse a lack of transformation in the world. Far from it.
Jesus mentions the mustard seed and the yeast for a reason. It is not just to excuse us from doing something. It is because he wants us to learn to discern and value the things which matter to the kingdom. He wants us to see the little seeds and give them the care and love they deserve. The bread must actually be baked to rise. The yeast must be mixed in with the dough. Do we truly plant and allow ourselves to be planted? Do we truly bake and mix and let ourselves be baked and mixed? Probably not. Probably we ignore these things because they seem too small or insufficient. The point here is that they are not. The point is also that they do not have their effect by accident, or if they do it cannot be put to use if it came about that way. We must nurture the seed. We must add yeast in just the right proportion. We are called to discern God's purpose amidst stillness, smallness, and even silence. This is what Elijah does.
And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.a And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave (see First Kings 19:11-13).
It is the secret the gives Ignatius of Loyola such insight in his writings on discernment. Perhaps it is even what Moses realizes that inspires him to seek mercy from God even though it seems like too little, too late.
I will go up to the LORD, then;
perhaps I may be able to make atonement for your sin.
Who knows what would have happened if Moses had not nurtured this small impulse to seek the mercy of God. Punishment ensues nonetheless. But it is doubtlessly lessened. Through Moses the people are able to turn back to the LORD. Without the seed this tree never would have grown. If the seed had been ignored or neglected it would have been no value to them. Thank goodness that Moses saw God in such a small hope in the face of such a blatant transgression.
Then he spoke of exterminating them,
but Moses, his chosen one,
Withstood him in the breach
to turn back his destructive wrath.
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