Welcome to Stories Seldom Heard.  I would like to specially welcome those from St. Columba Parish in Brooklyn, New York.  The last few months we have been studying and reflecting on parables.  Even though the parables have a lot in common, each one gives us a different insight because no one story or parable can tell us everything about God and God's reign.　
　
Some of the parables are found in all three of the synoptic gospels.  However, because of the author's theology and the context of the story, the details of similar parables might vary from one gospel to another.  In one gospel the audience might be Jesus' disciples.  In another gospel the same parable might be addressed to a crowd or the scribes and Pharisees.  The context of the parable is very important and influences the way we "hear" it.
　
Some parables are thought of as companion parables.  One set of companion parables is the story of the shepherd who loses one sheep and leaves the ninety-nine.  It's companion parable is the story of the woman who loses a coin and searches for it throughout the house.  Even though these parables are short, they are very challenging and can set us off balance because our first response runs contrary to Jesus' way of thinking.  Jesus asks,  "What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one until it is found?"  (LK 15:4)  "Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly until she found it?" (LK 15:8)　
　
Another set of companion parables is the mustard seed and the yeast that a baker woman mixes in flour.  Matthew and Luke have both of these parables, but Mark does not include the parable of the baker woman and the yeast.　Therefore, for this SSH article, let's look at the parable of the mustard seed in both Matthew's and Luke's gospel since each of them has a slightly different approach to the parable.  In Matthew's gospel, Jesus, begins the parable with a statement about what the "reign of God is like".  Luke, on the other hand, begins with a question.
　
The following is taken from Matthew's gospel, Mt. 13:31 - 35.　 Top of Form:

"He (Jesus) proposed another parable to them. 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field.  It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'. All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: 'I will open my mouth in parables; I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation (of the world).' Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. His disciples approached him ."
　
We might not find ourselves surprised by this parable because we have heard it so often.  But for those who were listening to Jesus for the first time, we can only imagine their reaction to this parable and the questions the parable would raise.  Jesus was comparing the great and awesome reign of God to a mustard seed - not a very elegant analogy!  Mustard seeds are tiny - one of the smallest seeds that is visible to the human eye.  This was a huge contrast to the images the Jews were used to.  We can hear the difference in the First Testament (Old Testament).  It is filled with prophecies about the "great nation" of Israel.  All the way through the First Testament (OT) the Jews described themselves as a royal nation and a vibrant growing community.  In the psalms the Israelites are likened to a great vine that covers the mountains.  They were like the strong cedars of God. (Ps. 80:10)  In Ps 92:12 the virtuous are said to flourish like palm trees and grow as tall as the cedars of Lebanon.  An image that the Book of Daniel uses for Israel is that of a great tree where the birds of the air dwell in its branches.  The top of the tree reached the heavens and it could be seen from the ends of the earth.　 (Dn 4:10-12)　 Now those images describe a powerful nation.  How then could Jesus compare the reign of their God to a mustard seed?
　
We know that faithful Jews knew their scripture.  So when Jesus uses the image of the mustard seed to describe the reign of God they must have been surprised.  It certainly wasn't what they were expecting.  Contrary to the image of the tall, straight elegant cedars of Lebanon that could be seen from miles around, Jesus compares God's reign to a puny seed.  Did Jesus make a mistake or is there something they and we might be missing?  Maybe there is something to be said for a mustard seed after all.  Maybe, just maybe, the seed might hold within itself a kernel of truth about the mystery of the reign of God in spite of it lacking the stateliness of the cedars.　
　
A mustard seed is common, tenacious and a fast growing plant that can spring up in the wild or in a cultivated field.　 Jesus contrasts the seed's smallness with its vitality and large tree like branches that become a home for nesting birds.　 He seems to be saying, the tiny can become large.  The smallest kernel can produce great growth.  The seed might be as common as dirt, but it has an energy within itself that explodes and bursts into bloom while no one is looking.　
　
For those who had ears to hear and eyes to see this parable held up a very hope filled image for the small community of Jesus' followers.  For the parable of the mustard seed could be an image of the early Christian community - those who trusted in Jesus the Rabbi who came from Nazareth.  Nazareth was neither a prominent town nor a town known for its strict religious observance.  One would hardly expect a prophet and more than a prophet to be raised and bred in such a town.  In fact, when Nathanael heard that Jesus was from Nazareth, Nathanael's first response was, "From
Nazareth?  Can anything good come from Nazareth?"　 (Jn. 1:47)
　
We can imagine the surprise of his first disciples, Nathanael, Martha, Mary, Lazarus, Peter and James as they traveled with Jesus.  Each day they saw Jesus' followers grow in number and faith.  Even in the face of resistance, the crowds kept coming: "five thousand" fed, "crowds pressing in on him", "no time for Jesus to eat or rest".　　
　
The power of the mustard seed parable is not limited to Jesus' life or times.  The reign of God is near at hand for us too.  Small beginnings often flourish and grow into wonderful works that are filled with God's power and life giving force.  Some of the most transformative actions have begun like small insignificant mustard seeds.  Recently I saw on public television a program about a young African girl who made enough money to attend college in the United States by selling goat's milk.  She is studying to be a doctor so she can return to her country and care for the health needs of her people.  The goat was a result of the work of the Heifer Foundation.  (See www.HeiferFoundation.org) 
　
Each year I look forward to hearing the results of the Nobel Peace Prize Award.  A few years ago this award went to the Kenyan Deputy Environment Minister Wangari Muta Maathai for her work as the leader of the Green Belt Movement, an environmental movement in Kenya.  Wangari was awarded the prize "for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace".  This is the first time the Nobel Committee has recognized the integral link between issues such as poverty, food and the environment to world peace.  Wangari and her network, comprised mostly of women, have come up against corporate and political interests in Kenya more than once. She has been beaten and arrested for her work.
　
And it all began like a mustard seed with the planting of a few trees!  In 1976, Wangari Muta Maathai introduced the idea of planting trees to conserve the environment and improve the quality of life.  The Green Belt Movement has assisted women in planting more than 20 million trees on their farms and on schools and church property.　 Other African nations also have picked up the practice.  There have been more than 10 millions trees planted across the African terrain.  The project has grown beyond anyone's expectations.　

When Wangari Muta Maathai heard the news of the award she wept with delight and planted a tree in her home town of Nyeri, in the shadow of Mount Kenya.  "It cannot get any better than this -- maybe in heaven," was her response!
　
Our works might not involve world issues, but working for peace, justice and compassion in any area of our lives is a gospel imperative.  Some of us work with our families on issues of tolerance and acceptance.  Others of us might work on neighborhood or national issues.  Some of our efforts might feel futile, even silly in the face of the injustices that we are addressing.  But time and time again we hear about the unexpected growth of the reign of God.  We hear how people of faith and courage help to bring about seemingly impossible results.
　
Years ago I first became aware of the power of the mustard seed parable when a co-worker said that she could never have begun her justice work if she did not believe in this parable.  "There is so much work to do," she said.  So many issues need attention.  So many people need jobs and job training programs.  Other people need adequate and affordable healthcare and safe housing.  How can I ever make a difference?  But then she said, "I believe with all my heart that God will bring forth great things from my (our) small beginnings.  I know that God will bring forth an abundance of good even though I (we) might have little with which to work."  That was over twenty five years ago and she is still involved in the struggle even in the midst of overwhelming odds.  God is working in our midst in seemingly small ways, but never underestimate the power of God working within us.
　
As we read this parable and reflect on our own lives, we are reminded that the reign of God is very near to us.  Jesus uses common images to awaken us to the fact that God is not far off.  God and God's reign are in our midst.  In our small and inadequate beginnings God can do great works.
　
Luke's version of the parable begins with a question:  "To what can I compare the reign of God?"  A mustard seed.  Perhaps in our prayer today and this month, we could reflect on our own lives and name some mustard seed experiences.  We also might want to go one step further.  If we have worked with another person on a project that has grown beyond our (their) wildest imaginings, we might want to contact that person and thank them for their help, encouragement and/or vision.  It might also be a time to pray that we not give up on our dreams that at times might seem impossible.  Remember the mustard seed.
　
As I was working on this article for SSH I received in the mail information from the Common Good organization.  This group represents many Roman Catholic institutions and congregations of sisters and priests.  I thought you might be interested in reading some of their analysis in preparation for the November 2008 elections.  Their web site also gives you background as to who they are and who this group was gathered.  Their web site is: http://www.votethecommongood.com/
 

Special thanks to Sharon Grant who has helped in editing this article.
　
"Stories Seldom Heard" is a monthly article written by Sister Patricia Bruno, O.P.  Sister is a Dominican Sister of San Rafael, California.  This service is offered to the Christian community to enrich one's personal and spiritual life.  The articles can be used for individual or group reflection.  If you would like "Stories Seldom Heard" sent to a friend, please send a note to "purple115@juno.com".  If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, c/o Sister Patricia Bruno, O.P., 1520 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA  94901

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