The need and necessity of Mustard seed growing into a bush/Tree

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 30th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Lk 13:18-21*

*First Reading : Rom 8:18-25*

*The need and necessity of Mustard seed growing into a bush/Tree*

*1) Bush in the Bible*

Most of the translations use the word *Tree*. The mustard seed grew and became a tree 

But New American Bible uses another word that is *Bush*. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush 

In the Bible we come across the concept of Bush in the context of the call of Moses 

Here we have burning Bush. *The burning bush represents God's intention to destroy 'sin and dispense grace'*

So it has a deep meaning to our spiritual life 

*2) Burning Bush - destroyer of Sin and Despenser of Grace*

In destroying the Sin Bush places a very important role 

Likewise the in despensing God's grace, the burning bush also plays a very important role 

So Bush is very relevant to our faith life  

*3) Mustard seed growing into a Bush*

Bush also represent the growth and strength of the seed 

When seed becomes a bush, it grows to its full strength and has the capacity to produce the fruit 

When mustard seed grows into like a bush, it can produce lots of results 

*4) Mustard seed in our life*

There are number of things in our life which can be compared to mustard seed 

The mustard seed of forgiveness

The mustard seed of love 

The mustard seed of humility

The mustard seed of service

The mustard seed of generosity

The mustard seed of sacrifice

The mustard seed of patience

The mustard seed of sincerity

The mustard seed of prayer 

The mustard seed of hope 

The mustard seed of faithfulness

The mustard seed of courage

The mustard seed of cooperation

There is a need to grow these seeds into a strong bush 

*5) The Bush of Gospel Values*

When these above mustard seeds grow into a bush, in our life we create a strong bush of Gospel values

When such great bush starts burning, it destroys all the sin in our life 

It also despenes God's grace into our life. 

So the Bush and burning bush works as a great miracle in our life 

*6) The Growth of mustard seed in my life*

Having understood the value of the growth of mustard seed, it is very important to check the growth of the mustard seed in my life 

How far the mustard seed has grown in my life? 

Which are the areas have  really grown like bush and working as burning bush in our life? 

What is the need of my life to have burning bush? 

Which are the areas in my life, which the burning bush needs to burn or destroy?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*