I Will Utter Things Hidden From the Foundation of the World

A reflection and study on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, chapter 13 verses 31-35.

“AT THAT TIME: JESUS spoke to the multitudes this parable: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which is the least indeed of all seeds; but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come, and dwell in the branches thereof.

Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. All these things JESUS spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables He did not speak to them. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open My mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”

The Gospel selection features two parables from Our Lord, who enjoyed teaching eternal and heavenly truths through the medium of stories and analogies, in ways which engaged His listeners and caused them to ponder deeply on the points being proclaimed. This also provided a way for His hearers to apply such reflections to their own lives of faith, similar to how a teacher encourages their students to utilize critical thinking rather than just blurt out the answers for them to write down. This was one of the ways that Our Lord chose to communicate the truths of the Heavenly Kingdom to the people of His day, and by extension, to us as well.

Jesus uses the example of the tiny mustard seed, almost invisible upon first glance, but which in time blossoms into a magnificent, strong, productive, visible tree. So much so that even creatures (birds) can flock to it. And all this from a small little seed. Our faith is very much like this, as a seed is planted within our soul, and over time and with much patient care, the Holy Spirit does His work of making us holy. We do not become mighty Saints of God overnight. Growing in virtue and combatting vices is a process which the Lord helps us in, insofar as we allow Him complete freedom to do His work.

The Church is also like this seed, which started so small and barely visible to the world upon its inception. But in time she became a fortress that truly shaped the entire world and transformed entire civilizations. Her mission remains the same: the salvation of souls. Her mission is one with her Founder’s mission, since she is the Body and He is the head. And even today, with the onslaught of Modernism and the rise of impurity and evil in the world, she remains the ark of salvation, the sure and safe harbor as storms rage on all around her. Since Our Lord is the way, the truth, and the life, so too, there is no salvation to be found outside of His Bride, since they are bonded together and thus one flesh.

Our Lord also speaks about hidden leaven placed within three measures of meal, until the whole meal is leavened. He again speaks to the truth of our individual faith, which slowly continues to grow through the supernatural virtues of faith, hope, and charity, guided by the two great Commandments to love God and love our neighbor out of love for God.

And He again also speaks of His Church, which engages the fallen world from within its core, but indeed, she never conforms to the world. Rather, her job is to transform the world, with the call to repentance and conversion, with the graces of the Holy Mass and the Sacraments, with her infallible dogmas and doctrines which illuminate the soul by proclaiming truth and exposing error.

Let us pray daily for the salvation of the world and also for the ongoing sanctification of our own souls. For to this have we been called, to pray and fast and sacrifice so that Our Lord’s holy rule could continue to reign supreme. He works within us through the Holy Spirit, and together with Him, we continue His mission within the world. As seeds and leaven that grow little by little each and every day until the Lord calls us home and we give an accounting for what we did with the gifts and talents He gave to us.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We love you. Save souls. Amen.