HOMILY FROM CANON STEPHEN BAILLIE
11th Sunday of B21
‘It is like a Mustard Seed’
Something we may not often think about is Jesus’ earthly relationship with creation. Jesus walked everywhere, went to quiet places to pray, preached from mountains, from boats on the water; his followers included fishermen in tune with the rhythm of the sea. In Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ – On Care for Our Common Home, he reminds us that Jesus ‘was in constant touch with nature, leading it an attention full of fondness and wonder’ (Laudato Si, 97).
Jesus’ parables are full of imagery from the natural world and in today’s Gospel we have an example of this in the parable of the mustard seed. People of Jesus’ time may have preferred the image of the lofty ‘cedars of Lebanon’ to explain God’s kingdom. Mustard plants however, only stand a few feet tall. Jesus is turning the ideals of power and triumph on their head. There is an ancient text which forbade planting mustard seeds in Palestinian gardens because the shrub takes over wherever it is planted and attracts unwanted birds. People have compared this to KUDZU a wild vine that could blanket entire mountain areas, smother trees, even crack cement buildings. This mustard seed image of God’s dream for this world is one which suggests that it will grow even in places where it is not wanted, putting cracks in seemingly mighty structures.
The New Testament not only tells us of the earthly Jesus and his tangible and loving relationship with the world. It also shows him risen and glorious, present throughout all of creation (Col. 1:19-20). ‘The very flowers of the field and the birds which (Christ’s) human eyes contemplated and admired are now imbued with his radiant presence’ (Laudato Si 100). As we watch out for traces of mustard seed kingdom this week – let us also embrace the joy of Christ in all of creation. I hope you and your families have a lovely and relaxing weekend. God Bless you all.
