St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

In today's Gospel passage, we hear two parables that serve as metaphors for the ministry of Jesus on Earth. His work in Galilee is compared to the growth of a mustard seed and the action of yeast; both begin very small and may seem insignificant at first.

At that point in time, Jesus' work had been carried out quietly and without great spectacle. However, these parables suggest that from these humble beginnings, something profoundly significant will emerge. Just as the tiny mustard seed grows into a tree large enough for birds to nest in its branches, and just as a small amount of yeast leavens three measures of wheat flour, Jesus' ministry is destined to flourish.

Unremarkable beginnings can lead to extraordinary outcomes when it comes to the work of the Lord. We need to understand that, with the grace of God and our efforts, even the simple gifts we have to offer can positively impact the world around us, no matter how small our contributions may seem. God can work wonders through our smallest efforts if we approach them with love and devotion to Him. The Lord calls us to plant good seeds and trust that He will do the rest.

There is a story from the work entitled In This Very Life about a skilled basket weaver. He was a simple man who found joy in his craft, spending his days weaving beautiful baskets. As he worked, he would whistle and sing, content in his labor. He greeted his customers warmly and expressed genuine gratitude for their patronage. Each night, he returned to his humble hut and slept soundly, at peace with his life.

 

One day, a wealthy man passed by the weaver’s small shop and was captivated by one of the beautiful baskets. Struck by the weaver’s skill and moved by his modest circumstances, the rich man decided to give the weaver a thousand dollars.

 

The astonished basket weaver gratefully accepted the money, having never seen such a sum before. He brought it back to his rundown hut, anxiously searching for a safe place to hide it. That night, he could not sleep, plagued by worries that thieves—or even rats—might find his cash.

 

The next day, he brought the thousand dollars to his shop, but his usual songs and whistles were gone—he was consumed by worry. His anxiety was so great that he struggled to concentrate on his weaving. That night, once again, he found no rest.

 

The following morning, the weaver went to the home of the wealthy man who had given him the money. Returning the thousand dollars, he pleaded, “Please, sir, give me back my happiness.”

 

Sometimes we become so obsessed with worldly possessions that we lose sight of the true treasures in life. The simple yet wise basket weaver chose not to exchange his happiness and sense of purpose for the kind of money that many mistakenly equate with success.

 

Jesus calls us to seek the true "treasures" and "pearls" of lasting value—the things of God: the love of family and friends, the support found in community, and the deep joy and fulfillment that comes from serving others. To pursue anything else is to settle for far less than what God intends for us.

The Gospel passage today highlights the human tendency to seek status and importance. In this case, the mother of two of Jesus' disciples desires recognition for her sons. This tendency can stem from pride, whether for ourselves or for those we love. The offense taken by the other Apostles is another example of our desire to appear significant in others' eyes.

We can observe this tendency in various areas, such as the media, government, and other fields, where individuals strive to appear more important and influential than their peers.

Jesus's teaching in this story is clear: the desire for status has no place in His disciples' lives. To truly follow Him, they must be willing to endure suffering, just as He did. They are called to serve others rather than seek to be served. Humility and prioritizing others above ourselves are the keys to true greatness—the kind of greatness we are all called to achieve. This greatness reflects being created in the image of God, following His ways, and ultimately returning home to our Father at the end of our lives, bringing with us only the fruits of our actions on earth.

As we know, Jesus often used parables to teach people about the life of faith and His mission to lead them to the Kingdom of Heaven. In them, he used metaphors that people could relate to. And, as we see in today’s passage, He explained to His apostles the realities that the metaphors represented.

 

In explaining the Parable of the Sower, Jesus emphasizes the various types of soil on which the seed falls. The metaphor stands for how the people who hear the Word of God receive it. Some never accept the Word; others believe for a short time but fall away because of criticism of their faith; others believe, but the Word is choked by worldly anxiety and the seduction of riches; others respond to the Word and bear abundant fruit.

 

Let us pray that we may always be the fertile soil upon which the seed of God’s Word falls and that we will take that Word to heart and share it with others by our words, actions, and attitudes.

 

"You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink."  This proverb is believed to be one of the oldest and is continuously used in the English-speaking world, first appearing in writing in 1175. It highlights a profound reality: we can guide people toward the truth, but we cannot force them to hear, see, or believe it.

One could argue that Jesus referenced this idea regarding some of the prophets and righteous people of His time, as He quoted the prophet Isaiah in today's gospel passage. Jesus used parables to help people recognize and understand the Truth He came to share.

Each of us has areas in our lives where we might be blind or deaf to essential messages—even those that matter greatly to us. The reasons for this blindness or deafness vary from person to person.

Let us acknowledge our limitations in perceiving Jesus' message and presence in our lives. We should ask the Holy Spirit to help us hear, see, and believe in the Truth.

In today's Gospel passage, Mary Magdalene is recognized as the woman who, out of deep devotion, went to the tomb early on that first Sunday morning. Upon discovering that Jesus' body was missing, she stayed outside the tomb, weeping in sorrow. 

Mary Magdalene was searching for the Lord but could not find Him. In her grief, however, the Lord sought her out and revealed Himself to her by calling her name. Just as she sought the Lord, we too seek Him, and He, in turn, seeks us out and finds us. It is God's pursuit of us that comes before our own search for Him. Even when we struggle to find the Lord, as Mary did, we can trust that He will always reach out to us and call us by name. He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us and now calls us individually. 

When the Lord calls us by name, He also sends us out, just as He did with Mary Magdalene, to share the Good News of His Resurrection with those we encounter. He not only calls us by name but also appoints us as His messengers to others.

For most of us, our family is essential in our lives. As we age, we might not see our family members as often as we once did, but they still matter significantly to us. They say, “Blood is thicker than water.” When a family member struggles, we will gather around them to support them.

The Gospels don’t tell us much about Jesus’ family. Yet, when they mention His family, they give the impression that there was often tension between Jesus and His blood family.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ family, including His mother, stood outside where Jesus spoke, anxious to talk with Him. They were trying to get His attention, perhaps even get Him home, away from the crowds always pursuing Him.

However, Jesus stood His ground; he didn’t go with His family. Instead, He redefined who his family was. He identified His disciples as His family and declared that all who do the will of His heavenly Father are His family.

As disciples of Jesus, we are all brothers and sisters of the LORD and each other, as well as sons and daughters of God. This is the new family that Jesus came to form, and what distinguishes this family is the desire to do the will of God, as Jesus has revealed that to us by His words and His life. That is why, as members of the Lord’s family, we pray, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

 

In today’s Gospel passage from St. Matthew, Jesus refers to two significant figures from Jewish history: the wise king Solomon and the reluctant prophet Jonah. He emphasizes that He is greater than both Jonah and Solomon. Jesus not only conveys God’s word but is also the Word of God; He is not just a wise king but embodies the Wisdom of God. Despite His true identity, many of His contemporaries did not recognize or appreciate Him; they demanded miraculous signs before they would take Him seriously.

What Jesus says to them is also directed at us: “There is something greater than Jonah here; something greater than Solomon here,” someone more wonderful than all the prophets and wise men of Israel combined is present among us and within us. Jesus is not only greater than Jonah and Solomon; He surpasses anything that could stand as a barrier between Him and us. As Saint Paul reminds us, “Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Most of us don’t remember our first steps as toddlers, but many of us can recall the first steps we took in learning to read. It likely began with a series of cards or posters. We worked hard to learn the sounds of each letter. Once we connected those sounds to their letters, we could identify groups of letters that formed words. And once we learned to "sound out" words, we entered the wonderful world of reading.

 

And then there was math. First, we learned to count to ten. Then we realized those numbers represented actual quantities—apples, cookies, or pennies. Eventually, with the help of pie tins, we moved on to fractions.

 

Those who are married almost certainly remember when they met their spouse. Maybe it was a chance meeting with a simple "Hello." A few awkward words were exchanged, then you worked up the courage to ask for a real date, and somehow, you connected—a relationship began, and love blossomed. It all started with a simple, awkward "Hello."

 

The greatest events and moments of life begin with small things: simple beginnings and basic ideas spark our biggest accomplishments and journeys. Humanity's dreams of peace, reconciliation, and justice will be realized first in small, everyday acts of goodness by ordinary men and women. Such is the "mustard seed" of faith: from the smallest and humblest acts of justice, kindness, and compassion, the kingdom of God will be realized.

 

As Christians, each of us is called to help bring about the Kingdom of God and to lead others to it. This may seem daunting, but we are not alone; we share this mission with others. We must also remember that God’s kingdom is achieved one small step at a time. In an age that craves instant results, taking one small step at a time may feel frustrating, but it is the only way we can truly answer the call to lead others to God’s kingdom. No step is too small; no movement is insignificant.

 

May we pray today and always for the faith, strength, and determination to take each small step on the journey to the kingdom of God.

There is a sharp contrast between those who sought to destroy Jesus and Jesus Himself, who came not to destroy but to heal. From the very beginning of his ministry, some desired Jesus' death. Despite this, Jesus consistently aimed to bring life to others and to share in God's own life. We hear the words, "A bruised reed he will not break; a smoldering wick he will not quench." His mission inspires hope and instills a sense of purpose within us.

The bruised reed and the smoldering wick symbolize those who are broken in body and spirit. It is very easy to break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick. Those who are physically or spiritually broken are highly vulnerable. Jesus is sensitive to those in need. He can restore the bruised reed and reignite the smoldering wick into a vibrant flame.