Homily: Monday, 17th Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Jer 13:1-11 • DT 32:18-21 • Mt 13:31-35
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The Kingdom of Heaven is where God works.

It’s the tiny seed that grows to be a tree, a home for birds.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed...

It’s the little bit of yeast, the leaven that makes the dough rise.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast..."

Jesus uses these natural processes in His parables to give us some insight into the nature of God’s Kingdom. And to teach us that God’s work in the Kingdom involves cooperation on our part.

Notice that you and I are neither seed nor yeast. Instead, we're called to help God in His work, to water the seed, to knead the dough. But the great work -- the miracle of growth, the seed becoming the tree -- is not our doing; that’s God’s work. Yes, the Kingdom of Heaven is where God works.

Our part is small. And the more we realize that, the more we step aside and surrender, the more receptive we are to God’s work in our lives, the more the work of the Kingdom is accomplished. 

The wonderful thing about this great work of God’s Kingdom is that it starts from the smallest beginnings in the hearts of men and women who are receptive to God's word. 

Just like the seed germinating out of sight beneath the ground, God’s greatest work is unseen and causes a transformation from within. Just as the yeast transforms a lump of dough and produces rich and wholesome bread when baked, the kingdom of God transforms those who receive the new life Jesus Christ offers. 

When we yield our lives to God and allow His word to take root in our hearts, we’re transformed and made holy by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. St. Paul said it best: 

"...we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us” [2 Cor 4:7]

In today’s brief parables Jesus reveals that His way is not at all spectacular; it’s a quiet way, a way of humility and love. Instead of seeking earthly power, Jesus went about healing sick and tormented people. Miracles, yes, but not spectacles, not the sort of miracles the world wants to see.

So many today urge us to follow them. They promise the world but produce nothing but dust…because the world can deliver nothing else. Indeed, almost everything about the Kingdom of Heaven is the opposite of what the world desires.  

Jesus described Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life” [Jn 14:6]. And the world? Well, it's exactly the opposite. Through its lies and its culture of death, it fills us with fear and leads us astray, away from our loving God. This is nothing new, as God reminds His prophet in today’s reading from Jeremiah:

“This wicked people…refuse to obey my words…walk in the stubbornness of their hearts, and follow strange gods to serve and adore them…they do not listen” [Jer 13:10-11].

Jeremiah: "They do not listen."

The world’s been rejecting God for a long time, but what the world seeks never lasts, while God’s Word never perishes. 

Do you see the false logic of the world? But the logic of the Gospel turns the world on its head. It’s the logic of worldly paradox, a logic the world can't understand. 

Only in the Kingdom of heaven are the first really the last, are the weak the strong, and the greatest the least.

Only in God’s Kingdom are the poorest the richest, and the lost saved. 

Only in God's Kingdom are the lowest the highest, and the meek inherit the earth.

Only in God's Kingdom, are the hungry satisfied and the persecuted blessed.

And to live there eternally, we must die, die to self.

In a word, what the world seeks, God rejects. 

So, take heart, brothers and sisters, because this is the Good News. This is the paradox we’re called to proclaim from the rooftops to all who will hear. That’s our work. God will do the rest through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Our other work within the Kingdom is prayer. Under the influence of prayer you and I grow imperceptibly, so God can work in us, so His work of transformation continues far beyond our own meager efforts. 

Let’s pray today that we’ll be filled with the Holy Spirit, that He’ll transform us into the Christ-like holiness God desires. 

Let’s pray, too, that the Spirit increases our zeal for the Kingdom and instills in us a desire to live only for God’s greater glory.

Instead of being overcome by fear, be instead filled with the gift of faith that God offers us.

And at the end of each day, how about taking a moment to ask, “What did I do today to bring about the Kingdom?”