What
can mustard seeds teach us about the kingdom of God? The tiny mustard seed
literally grew to be a tree which attracted numerous birds because they loved
the little black mustard seed it produced. God's kingdom works in a similar
fashion. It starts from the smallest beginnings in the hearts of men and women
who are receptive to God's word. And it works unseen and causes a
transformation from within. Just as a seed has no power to change itself until
it is planted in the ground, so we cannot change our lives to be like God until
God gives us the power of his Holy Spirit.
The
Lord of the Universe is ever ready to transform us by the power of his Spirit.
Are you ready to let God change you by his life-giving Word and Spirit? The
kingdom of God produces a transformation in those who receive the new life
which Jesus Christ offers. When we yield to the Lord Jesus and allow his word
to take root in us, our lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit
who dwells within us. Paul the Apostle says, "we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to
us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Do you believe in the transforming power of the
Holy Spirit?
Peter
Chrysologous (400-450 AD), an early church father, explained how the "
tree of the cross" spread its branches throughout the world and grew into
a worldwide community of faith offering its fruit to the whole world:
It
is up to us to sow this mustard seed in our minds and let it grow within us
into a great tree of understanding reaching up to heaven and elevating all our
faculties; then it will spread out branches of knowledge, the pungent savor of
its fruit will make our mouths burn, its fiery kernel will kindle a blaze
within us inflaming our hearts, and the taste of it will dispel our
unenlightened repugnance. Yes, it is true: a mustard seed is indeed an image of
the kingdom of God. Christ is the kingdom of heaven. Sown like a mustard seed
in the garden of the virgin’s womb, he grew up into the tree of the cross whose
branches stretch across the world. Crushed in the mortar of the passion, its
fruit has produced seasoning enough for the flavoring and preservation of every
living creature with which it comes in contact. As long as a mustard seed
remains intact, its properties lie dormant; but when it is crushed they are
exceedingly evident. So it was with Christ; he chose to have his body crushed,
because he would not have his power concealed….
Christ
became all things in order to restore all of us in himself. The man Christ
received the mustard seed which represents the kingdom of God; as man he
received it, though as God he had always possessed it. He sowed it in his
garden, that is in his bride, the Church. The Church is a garden extending over
the whole world, tilled by the plough of the gospel, fenced in by stakes of
doctrine and discipline, cleared of every harmful weed by the labor of the
apostles, fragrant and lovely with perennial flowers: virgins’ lilies and
martyrs’ roses set amid the pleasant verdure of all who bear witness to Christ
and the tender plants of all who have faith in him. Such then is the mustard
seed which Christ sowed in his garden. When he promised a kingdom to the
patriarchs, the seed took root in them; with the prophets it sprang up; with the
apostles it grew tall; in the Church it became a great tree putting forth
innumerable branches laden with gifts. And now you too must take the wings of
the psalmist’s dove, gleaming gold in the rays of divine sunlight, and fly to
rest for ever among those sturdy, fruitful branches. No snares are set to trap
you there; fly off, then, with confidence and dwell securely in its shelter.
(SERMON 98)
(Servants
of the Word)
Happy
Father’s Day to all our fathers in the parish.
Heavenly
Father, you entrusted your Son Jesus,
the
child of Mary, to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.
Bless
all fathers as they care for their families.
Give
them strength and wisdom, tenderness and patience;
support
them in the work they have to do, protecting those who look to them,
as
we look to you for love and salvation, through Jesus Christ our rock and
defender.
Totus
Tuus – Running from July 15th – 20th..
Please register soon as spaces are going fast.
Congratulations
to our new members for the parish council: Jack Pecina, Talya Skinner, Paul
Horbatiuk, Ben Ukonga, Erica Miceli and Elizabeth Hyginus. I look forward to
working with you all.
Fr. Phil
Fr. Phil