7/28/2025 (Monday) Today’s Gospel reading: Matthew 13:31-35

31 Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field.
32 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.”
33 He spoke to them another parable. “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast
that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”
34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables,
35 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.

7/28/2025 (Monday) Today’s Gospel reflection / sermon / homily: Matthew 13:31-35

In this Gospel reading, Jesus shares two brief yet powerful parables, the mustard seed and the yeast, to describe the nature of God’s kingdom. He compares the kingdom to a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds, which grows into a large tree where birds find shelter. He then likens it to yeast that a woman mixes into a large amount of flour until it works through the whole dough. These images of smallness growing into greatness are central to understanding how God’s kingdom works in our lives and in the world. Jesus often used simple, familiar things to reveal deep spiritual truths, and these parables remind us that God’s work may begin in ways that seem insignificant, yet they hold the power to transform everything.

The mustard seed teaches us that God delights in small beginnings. Many times, we look for instant success, visible results, or grand gestures to prove something is meaningful. But the way of the kingdom is different. God’s greatest works often start in quiet, hidden ways like a seed buried in soil. Faith planted in the heart, a kind word offered in love, a prayer whispered in secret — all seem small but are full of divine potential. The same applies to our own lives. We may feel small or unnoticed, but God can use our simple obedience to accomplish great things in His time. Just as the mustard seed becomes a tree offering shade and shelter, our acts of faith can grow into blessings for others.

The yeast, on the other hand, symbolizes the quiet yet powerful influence of God’s kingdom. Unlike the seed, which grows visibly, yeast works invisibly. It is mixed in and hidden in the dough, yet its effect is undeniable — it causes the entire dough to rise. This is how God often moves: not in noise or spectacle, but through persistent, transformative presence. A life lived in truth and love can slowly influence a family, a workplace, a school, or a community. It reminds us not to underestimate the power of quiet faithfulness. One person walking in the Spirit can be the yeast that lifts the whole environment toward hope and healing.

Both parables speak not only of God’s work in the world but also His work within us. His kingdom starts in our hearts, something as small faith, as a longing for something more, as a gentle stirring toward change. When we welcome God’s word, even in a small way, He nurtures it. Over time, that seed grows into maturity, and that yeast rises into action. These parables call us to be patient, hopeful, and trusting. Transformation takes time, but God is faithful. Even when we do not see immediate results, we can be assured that the kingdom is advancing within us and around us.

So what should we do in light of this? First, never despise small beginnings. If God has planted something in your life such as a calling, a desire, a gift, nurture it with care. Second, be faithful in little things. A kind word, a humble act, or a short prayer may be the start of something great. Finally, be the yeast in your environment. Live with integrity, speak with love, serve with joy, and let God use your quiet witness to lift others up. You may not always see the results, but trust that God’s kingdom is growing.

In a world obsessed with instant results and outward success, Jesus calls us to a deeper reality, that small things, when surrendered to God, become instruments of great impact. Like the mustard seed and the yeast, let us be willing to start small, act faithfully, and trust that God is building His kingdom through us in ways far beyond what we can imagine.

Go here to read further Gospel reflection.