Jesus tells a parable about a mustard seed grown into a plant in this Sunday’s Gospel. It begins, “The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.” It later describes birds coming and nesting in the plant. The parable is often interpreted in reference to growth. For example, as a person’s faith growing larger from a small beginning; or a small community growing into a faith spread world-wide. Deeper analysis takes note of Jesus making the mustard plant comparable to the Community of God. He uses it to contrast and replace the many kingdoms of Militarism; specifically the Kingdom of Israel.
The Kingdom of Israel was often symbolized by, among other things, the cedar tree. The cedar tree has stature, is strong and majestic. Ezekiel, in this Sunday’s first reading, uses the cedar tree to represent the kingdom of Israel and its restoration. The restoration will happen through King David’s line and birds are described as coming to it. The birds symbolized the many people who would come to the kingdom of Israel – but they would come in subservient worship to its warlord, Yahweh. (Ezekiel 17) Jesus’ parable is replacing Israel’s tall tree which gathers subservient people with his lowly plant which gathers free people. Jesus is also replacing the decaying monarchy, specifically David’s, with vibrant free people. Replaced as well, therefore, are all of Militarism’s mighty empires with one Community of God. As a final replacement, Jesus is replacing interpretations of the Community of God as a future event with the Community of God as a present reality, a “now” activity. The robust mustard plant makes that “now” dynamically true. Both the mustard plant and the Community of God are an active source of healing in a diseased world. Mustard plants have many beneficial medicinal qualities. They are the source of nutrients such as vitamin K (builds bone mass and neuronal connections), vitamin C (anti-oxidant protecting against viruses), and especially vitamin A (maintains healthy mucus membranes, skin and good eye-sight) as well as essential minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and manganese. Mustard has thus been used for centuries to heal difficulties with digestion, teeth issues, and congestion problems of the lungs.
Like mustard with its zesty taste, its stimulating and healing effect on the body, so too is the Community we established for such a healing effect on the body of humanity.
Prayer: Spirit of Creation, a dynamic life surrounds us and feeds us.
Question: What do I need to do to restore some zest and flavor in my life?
June 14, 2015 Gospel Mark 4:26-34 Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
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