THE LESSON

Jesus says, “The Kingdom is like a mustard seed which a man sowed in his field. Mustard is smaller than any other seed but let it grow and it becomes bigger than any garden plant; it is like a tree, big enough for the birds to come and nest among its branches.”

I hold this tiniest of seeds
In the hollow of my hand…
then I see the full-grown tree it has become,
strong enough to bear the nests of birds.

I move from seed to tree repeatedly in fantasy.

I then observe the seed
through each stage of its growth.

Finally I sit before the full-grown tree
and speak to it:

We talk about the theme of smallness
the tree and I…

About discouragement…

Risk-taking in our lives…

Change and all that it implies…

Fruitfulness…

Service…

And finally,
God’s power in our lives.

I end this exercise at Jesus’ feet:
I tell him what the mustard tree has taught me
and ask that he will teach me too.

Anthony de Mello (1931-1987)

“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.” Jesus