A reading from the gospel according to Luke 13:18-21

18 Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?
19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and ‘the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.’”
20 Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?
21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

Reflection: Humble Beginning

Jesus is the son of God, the Father almighty. He performed many miraculous deeds and so we ask, “With all His heavenly powers, why didn’t He accomplish His mission in one fell swoop?” He could have called fire from heaven and His enemies would have been annihilated. Yet that is not how God works. He loves us and He wanted us to freely love Him. He does not force us to love Him back. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God patiently waits until His rebellious children repent and return to Him.

That is why Jesus compares the kingdom of God with a mustard seed and yeast. He planted the seed of the Kingdom among a few disciples in Israel some two thousand years ago. Today, that seed has grown and His disciples are now found in every corner of the world. From a humble beginning, the church is now a major force and it will continue to grow in the future until everything is made subject to Him and God is all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28).

There are practical lessons to be learned here:
1. In business or in any civic activities, it is best to start small and with much effort and prayers, it will grow big.
2. Make room for improvement every day. Small changes can have powerful impact on the organization.
3. Be patient. Do not be anxious about the prevalence of evil in the world. There is a right time for everything. In His time, all things will be made beautiful.
4. Learn everything you need in order to grow in faith, hope and love.
5. Faith, hope and love are contagious. Show them in your everyday living and they will spread like fire.

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Jesus shares two parables to describe the Kingdom of God. The first is about a mustard seed, which is “the smallest of all seeds” but when planted, it grows into a tree where birds find shelter. The second parable speaks of yeast mixed into flour until it works its way through the entire dough, transforming it.

These two simple images, a mustard seed and yeast, teach profound lessons about how God works in and through us. The mustard seed, despite its tiny size, represents faith and obedience to God’s will. It might seem insignificant at first, but when it’s nurtured, it grows into something that offers life, shade, and shelter to others. In the same way, the Kingdom of God often begins in ways that seem small or unnoticed, yet has the potential to grow into something far beyond what we can imagine.

Many times, we expect God’s Kingdom to come with immediate power and grandeur, but Jesus points out that it often starts humbly and quietly. The mustard seed symbolizes the way the Kingdom begins in each of our hearts. A small act of faith like trusting God in a challenging situation, showing kindness to a stranger, or praying for someone in need, can grow into a powerful movement that brings healing, comfort, and transformation to those around us.

In the same way, yeast works silently and invisibly to transform the dough from the inside out. Like yeast, God’s presence in our lives might not always be visible at first, but His work in us leads to a deep, gradual transformation. This speaks to how God’s Spirit moves in our world and in our hearts, often in hidden, quiet ways, yet bringing about lasting change. It’s a reminder that the Kingdom of God is not just a grand external event, but a personal, internal transformation that leads to outward impact.

This message is especially inspiring when we feel that our efforts are small or unnoticed. Sometimes, we may wonder if our prayers, acts of service, or attempts to share the gospel make any difference. But Jesus encourages us to have faith. Even the smallest seeds of faith or the seemingly insignificant “yeast” of God’s presence can have far-reaching results. We are called to plant those seeds, trust the process, and leave the growth to God.

These parables remind us that God’s work is often gradual, requiring patience and perseverance. Just as the mustard seed doesn’t become a tree overnight, and the yeast doesn’t transform the dough instantly, so too the Kingdom of God grows in our lives and communities over time. Our role is to continue trusting God, nurturing the seeds of faith, and allowing His Spirit to work in and through us.

Let this message be an encouragement to keep going, even when you can’t yet see the results. Trust that God’s Kingdom is at work, even in the small, unseen places of your life. As we faithfully plant and nurture, God will bring the growth, expanding His Kingdom in ways we may never fully comprehend./p>