The little mustard seed in today’s gospel has a big reputation.

Jesus reminds us that just as the large mustard tree has tiny beginnings, so too the mighty, life-giving and eternal Kingdom of God is easily overlooked as it discreetly comes to birth in the routines and demands of our daily lives here on earth.

There is a neat link with yesterday’s Sunday gospel when Jesus takes the small offering of a little boy (five loaves and a couple of fish), and uses these as the starting point for the miracle of the feeding of the thousands.

Pope Francis offers this encouragement:

When we live with a desire for Christ, “…the strength of Christ bursts through us and transforms what is small and modest into a reality that leavens the entire mass of the world and of history.”

“An important teaching comes from these two parables: the Kingdom of God requires our collaboration, but it is above all an initiative and gift of the Lord. Our weak work, seemingly small in front of the complexity of the problems of the world, if included in that of God does not fear the difficulties. The victory of the Lord is secure: His love will sprout and will grow every seed of goodness present in the earth.”