By William Selvaraj R csc –
Readings: Jer 13: 1-11; Mt 13: 31-35
St. Innocent I, Pope and Confessor, was an energetic and gifted Pope. He did much to strengthen ecclesiastical discipline, decreed that Roman customs should be the general norm, and that ‘all ecclesiastical matters throughout the world are, by divine right, to be referred to the Holy See’.
First reading portrays the symbol which is used by Prophet Jeremiah. Human cooperation can bring out the best of divine revelation. Likewise, human wickedness can also destroy the seed of revelation. Jeremiah uses the symbol of his spoilt waist-cloth in order to warn God’s people about their stubbornness because they were arrogant and refused to listen to the word of God.
The Gospel reading of the day presents us two parables: The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Yeast. The kingdom of God is central to teaching of Jesus. It is the focal point of most of his parables. Jesus has come to establish the kingdom of God amidst us.
In truth, the kingdom is present in the person of Jesus. We see that mustard seed is hidden in good soil and yeast is hidden in flour. They bring forth good results. God gives grace and talent to each and everyone. Those things are hidden in ourselves. We should recognise those hidden talents to use it in profitable way. It is the goodness that makes the person to grow slowly and steadily like a mustard seed and the yeast in flour which brings total transformation in oneself. So, let us ask the Lord for his grace to grow in being good to others and listen to his words of wisdom.