GROWING GOD'S KINGDOM, ONE SEED AT A TIME

Welcome to MUSTARD SEEDS, the Blog of St. Mark's Church in Westford, Massachusetts

The New Testament provides several references to Mustard Seeds.  In the Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke each share Jesus' Parable of the Mustard Seed.  Matthew's retelling goes like this: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”  (Matthew 13:31-32)

Mustard plants grow like weeds.  The seeds are tiny, about the size of a pin head.  Yet, they germinate into herbaceous plants that produce abundant yellow flowers that yield more seeds.

In a few short growing seasons, a meadow that once was grass can become a field of mustard plants waving their yellow flowers.  Matthew exaggerates slightly in saying that the shrubs become trees, but the fields of mustard do provide food and nesting sites for birds and small animals.  Something great has grown from something very, very small. 

A Tiny Mustard Seed 

A Field of Mustard Plants

At St. Mark's, we have the opportunity to grow God's Kingdom right here in Westford and our surrounding communities.  In our Baptismal Covenant, we promise "to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves,"  Furthermore, we promise "to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being."  Sometimes, it can feel like a tall order to be the agents of change, working toward healing a world full of hurt, hatred, and injustice. How are we to make this happen?  How are we to grow something great from something very, very small?

Jesus has the answer for us, again using the tiny Mustard Seed as inspiration.  Jesus said,  "For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)

FAITH.  The answer is FAITH.  It can be only the size of a mustard seed, and yet with God all things are possible.

Faithfully submitted by 

Jody Clark, Senior Warden