Even faith like a mustard seed can be nurtured and cultivated. Simon Zachary, SJ breaks open the gospel and encourages us to store up God’s graces. Based off the readings for the 16th Sunday of OT.
Does 6-7 seem like it’s stale? How about 7-8?
Hi, I’m Fr. Simon Zachary, and this is my One Minute Homily.
Our gospel from Matthew 13 is packed with 7 or 8 parables, depending on how you count. One of them, the parable of the mustard seed, is famous. We might know about these tiny seeds when we spread some grainy— and zesty—mustard on a piece of rye bread. Pair that with mayo, black forest ham, and Swiss, and you have the perfect summer picnic sandwich! I digress. A mustard seed may start off small, but like our faith when it’s watered and nurtured, it can grow into a lush bush. St. Ignatius of Loyola encourages us to store up consolation, or feelings of God’s closeness, to let it grow, for those less-than-easy times. Let’s take Jesus’s advice, let’s listen to Ignatius, and we too will thrive!