Fr. Bob Kus 
Today Catholic Christians celebrate the 16thSunday in Ordinary Time.
In today’s selection from the Gospel of Matthew, we hear three parables that Jesus told trying to explain the nature of the “kingdom of heaven” (13: 24-43). Of the three, one of my favorites is that of the Parable of the Mustard Seed. We read:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches’” (13: 31-32).
Bible scholars believe that the type of plant Jesus was discussing was the black mustard plant. It often grows 9-feet tall, like a small tree. This parable is immediately followed by the Parable of the Leaven or Yeast. In both of these parables, the focus is on growth. And for growth to happen, we must have change.
All of us are called, by virtue of our Baptism, to grow and flourish. To do that, we must continually change, continually striving to become more virtuous and fruitful in our lives. Fortunately for us, at our Baptism, the Holy Spirit comes and brings us the gifts we need to accomplish this growth.
The big question becomes, then, “How am I growing with the gifts that God has showered upon me?”
A timely message for these challenging days. Thank you.