Monday, 28 July 2025

Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus put a parable before the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest shrub of all and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and shelter in its branches.’

This parable is disturbing to the crowds for two reasons in my opinion. Our Lord likens the Kingdom of God to a mustard tree. It would have been more appropriate to liken it to a Lebanon Cedar. It is majestic, rare and very very useful. But a mustard tree in this place and culture is pervasive and almost annoying. Wherever you turn you see the yellow flowerings of it. You can’t get rid of this tree. Is our Lord saying the kingdom of God is that available? That wherever you turn there it is? Yes!!! That’s the shock of it! It is not a privilege of a few men, it is an offering of the many.

Secondly the reference to the birds of the air strikes me.There isn’t only one type of bird that sings the same song. No!!!! There is a diversity of them. So if you are different…. You are welcome here. All of us can render our voices in praising God.

Fr Chibundi