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Brianne Cook
Dr. John Eby
Jesus and Gandhi
29 February 2013

Analytical Reflection of the Parable of the Mustard Seed

How does Jesus introduce the theology of the Kingdom of Heaven to those who have not
heard or do not understand his teachings? How does this theology impact the lives of Christians
and non-Christians alike today? Throughout his teachings, Jesus frequently utilizes parables in
order to explain and clarify the complex, abstract messages that he is trying to convey. These
parables, though short and seemingly simple, contain many of the most significant and universal
ideas of the Christian faith. In the brief Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus compares the
Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed, which is quite small at its start but grows to become the
largest of plants (Mark 4:32). The Parable of the Mustard Seed, like so many of the parables
told by Jesus, extends far beyond the words that were spoken. These deeper meanings and
implications of this parable are revealed through analysis of and reflection on the purpose and
literary style (including themes and literary devices) of Jesuss storytelling. Connections can be
identified between the parable and McBriens explanations of sacrimentality and communion.
Additionally, through a brief personal response, I will reflect upon the aspects of the parable
applicable to my own life.
Why does Jesus tell the Parable of the Mustard Seed? This story and its corresponding
message are referred to several times in the gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, thus suggesting
and emphasizing its importance. From one aspect, the fact that the gospels according to Matthew
and Luke may have been written based on the gospel of Mark may suggest the opposite; the
result of the storys presence within the three gospels is a consequence of chance, merely

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included in the later gospels because the story was included in the earlier gospel. However, it is
much more likely that the importance of the parables message regarding the Kingdom of
Heaven, which is such a core concept within the Catholic faith, lead to its inclusion in the three
gospels.
Through his concise oration of The Mustard Seed, Jesus had hoped to clarify the idea
of the Kingdom of Heaven to the large, and likely culturally-diverse crowd which had gathered. I
suggest that the crowd may have been diverse as the gospels of Mark, Luke and Matthew have
differing target audiences, and yet the story is included in all three gospels. Jesus is trying to
explain via the parable that the Kingdom of Heaven is not a far off place or a theoretical
scenario, the Kingdom of Heaven is God, who is ever-present and everlasting, even within the
smallest of seeds. Former Pope Benedict XVI in his book Jesus of Nazareth summarizes this
concept stating When Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God, he is quite simply proclaiming
God (Benedict XVI 55). This proclamation of which Jesus speaks does not conclude with the
telling of the parable; later, following the healing of a boy, Jesus reminds the disciples that If
you have the faith the size of a mustard seedNothing will be impossible for you (Matthew
17:20)
This aspect of analysis relates significantly in several ways to the Theological Foci of
Catholicism described by McBrien. Gods eternal presence within the mustard seed exemplifies
sacrimentality. McBrien defines sacrimentality as The Catholic vision [which] sees God in and
through all things (McBrien 1180). God lies within the infinitesimal seed, allowing it to grow.
As a consequence of Gods presence within the seed, the seed also serves as a source of
mediation. That tiny seed, with the unconditional grace and love of God, grows, becoming a
large bush, [where] the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches (Matthew 13:32).

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Here, Jesus explains that those who seek the Kingdom of Heaven, those who seek God, will find
God through this little seed. Similarly, McBrien writes: [Created realities] make [Gods]
presence effective for those who avail themselves of these realities (McBrien 1180). The seed
not only contains the Kingdom of God, who is God, but also acts as a mediator for those who
seek God through faith.
Another possible interpretation of the Parable of the Mustard Seed more closely relates to
the communion aspect of the Catholic faith. In the gospel of Matthew, it is described that a
person has planted the mustard seed. This theme of sowing seeds, which is also prevalent in the
Parables of the Weeds among the Wheat and the Sower, acts in this specific instance as a
reminder to serve and share the Catholic faith with others. The community of believers must
gather together, in order to initiate and advocate the growth of the faith of the individual
Why am I drawn the story and message of the parable of the Mustard Seed? Initially, the
underlying theme of nature captured my attention. I personally enjoy the outdoors and all that it
offers. In the summer, I enjoy tending to my plants in my familys garden at home, and reaping
the rewards at the end of the season. On a deeper level, I was particularly drawn to the theme of
grandeur coming from an object so small and insignificant. This theme is also accentuated in the
ensuing parable in the Gospels according to Matthew and Luke, the Parable of the Yeast
(Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20-21). Both stories suggest that even in the most difficult trials where
individuals may be faced with extreme adversity and placed in humbling situations, they must
continue to strive to achieve their goals. These individuals efforts will be eventually
compensated, whether in the benefit of themselves or others, whether they realize success or
success goes unnoticed.

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Jesus speaks of the Parable of the Mustard Seed in front of the large crowd in order to
metaphorically illustrate the theology of the Kingdom of God. In discussing two possible
interpretations of the parable, many associations may be made between the words of Christ and
the elements of sacrimentality, mediation, and communion described by McBrien. The nature
aspect of the story initially caught my attention; however, it was the message of growth and
development which captured my imagination. Jesus spoke few words in telling the Parable of the
Mustard Seed, yet he evoked concepts that transcend both time and distance.