The Kingdom of God Within

In today’s Gospel, Luke 13: 18-21, Jesus speaks to us about the Kingdom of God being like a mustard seed, which if planted in rich soil, fed appropriate nutrients, and cultivated produces a huge tree that reaches high into the heavens, providing shelter for many a bird and other animals and could be used by humankind to provide shelter from inclement weather as well. The oak tree could also be carved into beautiful furnishings that bring delight to the eye of its beholders.  How is the Kingdom of God like this mustard seed? God’s Kingdom is planted within us at baptism. It  needs to be nurtured, cultivated, shared in ways that give life and comfort and shelter to others in the storms of life.  The Kingdom of God within us is our faith and hope and love that expands throughout our life time, if nourished,  and is transformed as we grow into adulthood and mature into an another Christ:  Jesus made flesh in our flesh and made known through our  faith, hope and love.

Jesus also likens the Kingdom of God to yeast which affects the dough into which it is kneaded.  The dough expands, is baked and becomes a delicious loaf of bread. In this imagery, the Kingdom of God within us effects all that we do, transforms it, delights others who experience God’s Kingdom at work in our lives in ways that make a difference in their lives as well. To flourish, this “yeast” needs to be kneaded—the sufferings and difficulties of life are part of bringing the Kingdom of God to fruition in our lives. The “yeast” needs to be subordinated, so to speak, to the flour into which it is kneaded and in which it makes the bread rise. The Kingdom of God within us is the rising of Christ, who triumphs over death, and in our lives empowers us to triumph as well!

How healthy is “the mustard seed” and the “yeast”—God’s Kingdom--within me?  How is my life being changed as is a mustard seed properly planted and nurtured? How effective is God’s Kingdom within me as is yeast kneaded in dough? Am I maturing into Christ? Is my faith, hope and love expanding?   Am I making a difference as Jesus did while walking through villages in the Far East 2000+ years ago and as Jesus does now walking beside us each day?