Today’s gospel passage from Mk 4:26-34 contains two rather beautiful parables of the Kingdom. One is probably the most famous (or certainly in the top three!) of all the parables, the Mustard Seed, and the one before it, known as the parable of the Growing Seed, is probably the least well known. But the first parable of the farmer planting his seeds is certainly one of the most beautiful and mysterious metaphors for the Kingdom that Jesus ever used. Jesus was always asking what the Kingdom of God could be compared to; what it was like? For something that the Lord spoke of so frequently and at such length, Jesus never gets specific about it, speaking of it only in parables. Thus, the Kingdom remains as mysterious as are the parables Jesus used so often to describe it.
Jesus here describes something that seems so obvious yet is so deeply mysterious and unknown, even to this very day. Seed scattered on soil germinates, takes root and little by little grows into the full plant with the farmer neither knowing anything about how this happens or if it even needs any intervention by him. Our translation muddles this observation a bit, but Jesus is saying whether the farmer sleeps or gets up and works, the seed keeps growing entirely by itself.
Even now, science does not know exactly how or why a seed, perhaps sitting on a shelf for years, when placed in fertile soil and watered, begins to grow almost immediately and continues growing, perhaps into a mighty oak! Oh, science can explain much about it, but ultimately it still remains a mystery. Some deep, secret force is unlocked at planting and the miracle begins. All life on earth is dependent on it. One might very well ask in wonder, how could God not be at the heart of it all?
It is a perfect metaphor for the Kingdom. Like a seed growing on its own, all around us, dependent on nothing but the soil, the sun and the rain. The Kingdom of God is also all around us, growing in the hearts of human beings everywhere, often totally unseen and unknown. Dependent only on the nurturing soil of love, the rays of God’s grace and the pouring down of the Holy Spirit, it raises up people of the Spirit who spread the Kingdom. It does not matter who they are or what religion they follow or don’t follow, it is not dependent on anything other than God’s grace and the Spirit that blows where it will. It will often sprout in the most unlikely of places and situations, often unknown to traditional religion. For God is not bound by anything. “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” There are forces and powers, all from God, we aren’t even aware of at work for the good throughout our world.
And the famous parable of the Mustard Seed compliments this theme. The Kingdom’s fulfillment often begins in such small and insignificant ways that most everyone misses it. Even now, the tiniest beginnings of God’s love are taking shape everywhere as in secret; unseen and unnoticed. So never disregard the kind word or the simple act of charity, never neglect to do even the simplest thing to help your neighbor. Seek out these little works of love and become a part of this Kingdom growing all around us in absolute secrecy. As the Lord said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Mt 10:42