THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Her Doctrine and Morals

Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

17 November 2024

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The Sunday

Sermon

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Dear Friends in Christ,

Jesus spoke in parables to aid our understanding and memory of what He wished to teach us. The Kingdom of Heaven is our ultimate goal or destination, so He frequently works to explain The Kingdom of Heaven to us. In today's Gospel reading (St. Matthew 13:31-35), we are given two parables that describe some aspects or truths about Heaven that we need to understand.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed. To reap an herb's rich taste or flavor, especially mustard, we must bruise or crush it. The richness of mustard seed is revealed in its destruction. Perhaps Jesus is here speaking of Himself. The Humanity of Jesus must be bruised, crushed, or destroyed so that we may discover the riches of His Divinity hidden within His Humanity. Jesus has shown us the way into the Kingdom of Heaven, which is in dying to this life and world so that we may live in eternity. The true value of our earthly lives will only be understood or appreciated when our earthly life is bruised or crushed — when we physically die. At that moment, the fragrance and taste (our true value) will be revealed — just as the value of the mustard seed is discovered after it is crushed. The Kingdom of Heaven that begins within us while we are here on earth is revealed with our bodily dissolution.

However, Jesus does not speak of the herbal uses of the mustard seed but of its planting and growth. As the seed is planted, it must die to itself so that it may grow or develop into an herb or plant. Jesus needed to die and be buried before He could rise from the dead in a more glorious Body. Likewise, we must die in this world to live gloriously in Heaven. Jesus speaks of the smallness of the mustard seed and the greatness of the herb that comes forth from the seed. The smallness or humility of Jesus in His Humanity gave way to the greatness of His Divinity as He rose from the tomb. So, within us, we must strive for lowliness and humility to reach our destiny or greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven. Elsewhere, Jesus said we are to learn of Him because He is meek and humble of heart (St. Matthew 11:29).

In another parable Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven buried (hidden) in three measures of flour. The hidden virtues of Jesus buried in His Humanity transformed the lives of those around Him. Faith, hope, and charity gradually filled and transformed the lives and souls of His Apostles and Disciples. From humble and even insignificant beginnings, great souls and saints grew to fill the Kingdom of Heaven.

When our souls receive the graces of faith, hope, and charity, it is as if these are hidden in our souls. They are not easily seen, measured, or even calculated as leaven added to the dough. But, like leavening, these graces gradually transform our souls and lives, filling our very being. All our thoughts, words, and actions become infused with the leaven of these graces. The graces develop into virtues (good habits). Yet, in this world, in this life, the inner workings of God's grace in our souls are hidden from the eyes of men — often, even the very person who is being transformed does not see or realize the transformation taking place within his soul. The little leaven transforms the whole dough. But then this leavened dough shares its leavening properties with others, and they, too, become leavened and transformed. In this way, the Kingdom of Heaven grows within us and spills over into the lives of all around us.

We should not become discouraged by the smallness or humbleness of Jesus or His Church. What the world perceives and values is very superficial and myopic. The tiny seed and the insignificant leaven hidden in the dough may be small, but they can transform lives and souls. It is in the virtue of humility (smallness) that the Kingdom of Heaven is built up. The saints sought out humility, desiring to become the least, the lowest, the smallest, the servant of everyone so that in this littleness, they may spiritually grow and become great in the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven.

The mustard seed, or the leaven, has been planted or hidden within the depths of our souls through the grace of Baptism. If we cooperate with God and not put any obstacles in His way, the graces of faith, hope, and charity will gradually grow and fill our entire lives. And from there, these graces will overflow into the lives of others. In this manner, we are to become instruments in God's Hands to build the Kingdom of Heaven.

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary inspire, guide, and protect us!