Mysteries of the Kingdom III ~ Growing

St. Matthew 13:31-36 (7/23) Gospel for Wednesday of the Sixth
Week after Pentecost

Mysteries of the Kingdom III ~ Growing: St. Matthew 13:31-36, especially vs. 32: "'...when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.'" The Lord Jesus illumines the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven with two parables: "the Mustard Seed," and "the Leaven." His primary theme is growth. "Growth," first and foremost, is spiritual maturation in Christ, growth in the life of His Body in His heavenly Kingdom. The two parables emphasize that the Lord is the primary Actor in spiritual growth. He "took and sowed" (vs. 31); He "took and hid" (vs. 33). What He sows is is "field," and His leaven He mixes into His "meal." Both references are to His People. He prepares us for union with Him, that we may grow and then "leaven" many around us.

During the reception of Catechumens in Baptism, the Priest acts as an active icon of the Lord Jesus. He "lays his hand upon the candidate's head" and verbalizes the spiritual work that God is achieving: "In Thy Name, O Lord God of truth, and in the Name of Thine Only-Begotten Son, and of Thy Holy Spirit, I lay my hand upon Thy servant who hath been found worthy to flee unto Thy Holy Name, and to take refuge under the shelter of Thy wings."

The hand of the Lord Jesus covers every Christian. Therefore, let each one say, "Into Thine hands I will commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth" (Ps. 30:5). While we were in darkness, Light came to us. When we had strayed into waste places, the Shepherd came after us to "take" us again to Himself, to "hide" us "in His tabernacle" "in the day of mine afflictions..." (Ps. 26:5). Coming down from His throne, He assumed our clay that He might sow His Life within us so that we may grow sufficiently to become shelter for others (Mt.13:32).

There is an element of secretiveness in the Lord Jesus' actions as He takes, sows, and hides. The seed disappears into the earth by His hand; but it must do so in order to germinate. The baker works the flour, puts in the leaven that permeates the meal imperceptibly, secretly, quietly, invisibly to the eye of flesh. Only after time do the effects of His hidden growth become visible. Plants sprout, unfold to the eye, enlarge. Likewise, as the dough is kept warm and covered, mysteriously it rises. Spiritual growth similarly, and often unseen, slowly becomes manifest, and only after much prayer, ascesis, struggle, and patient watching.

Note: Christ's seed and His leaven are not magical, but mystical. The Spirit of God works in human hearts and gives growth. As St. John Chrysostom says, we are not to "stop at the limit of the commandments, but...even go beyond them," through embracing the Spirit.

Because of a long period of "working" before growth becomes manifest, let no one lose heart if he does not obtain immediate results. Spiritual growth is no tiny, dry cube to which liquid is applied so that suddenly a great shape swells up many times greater. Still, do not underestimate small beginnings, either within yourself or in the world. As St. John Chrysostom observes: "Yea, for His disciples were weakest of all, and least of all; but nevertheless, because of the great power that was in them, It [the Gospel] hath been unfolded in every part of the world." Do we think God cannot also work in us, in our tiny faith, our instability and timidity?

Finally, note carefully these words from the parables: "'sowed in his field...hid in three measures of meal'" (Mt. 13:31,33). Where does Christ plant us and hide us? As we have observed, "His field" refers to the world, but the Lord puts us there amidst His People. The Church shelters us from evils and becomes a leaven to transform cultures, peoples, and nations. His Church is the measure of meal that He kneads into the world as dough to bring true Life.

Grant peace to the world; and uphold the good estate of Thy holy churches, O God.