In common opinion the gospel parables unveil various aspects of the mystery of the kingdom of God. These simple and short stories utilize some common and familiar images taken from the daily life in order to make the message of Jesus more comprehensible. This Sunday we hear two parables taken from the gospel of Mark. The parable of a farmer patiently waiting for the grain to yield its fruit stresses the gradual growth of the kingdom of God. The mustard seed parable on the other hand reveals the power of that kingdom.

I have never seen the mustard tree in real life. This small evergreen tree native to the Middle East, Africa and India is considered by some as a large bush. On average it can reach from six up to ten feet of height. Nothing in comparison to the cedar of Lebanon mentioned by the first reading and the psalm that can reach up 130 feet. The mustard tree looks quite insignificant and nonappealing but still can be useful for people and animals. Jesus says that the birds of the sky can dwell in its branches and find rest in its shade.

It is quite surprising that Jesus chose exactly that tree to be an image for the kingdom of God. Except for the gospels we don’t find this kind of analogy anywhere else in the Bible. On the contrary, as I already mentioned, the prophets would rather use the splendor of the cedar of Lebanon to speak of the glory of the people of Israel.

Its majestic appearance expresses better the glory of the earthly realities. But even the small mustard seed can produce a tree that can serve its purpose. 

And yet, there is some deep truth in what Jesus is trying to tell us by using this image. Not only he is trying to demonstrate to us the power of the kingdom which starts with something small and insignificant, but he shows to us something else as well. He tells us that his kingdom cannot be compared to any earthly realities. On the surface the reality of the kingdom of God looks quite ordinary, nonappealing and common. It has nothing of the grandeur and splendor of the earthly kingdoms. Its glory is hidden and mysterious. But at the same time, it has an important mission to accomplish. 

Jesus says that even birds of the sky find shelter in the branches of the mustard tree. The kingdom of God revealed through the Church looks weak and insignificant in comparison to the earthly powers of this world. And yet it becomes a home for so many who can find rest, peace and joy in its confines. The Church with all her struggles and difficulties, has a fundamental mission of salvation to offer to all her members and to the world. On surface she does not look splendid and glorious, but within her a treasure of great value is hidden.