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If you've ever suffered through a fourth grade student (three times now) you
know that somewhere, somehow, some California Moses came down from the
mountain with this commandment:
WHEN THOU ART IN THE FOURTH GRADE, THOU SHALT SURELY
CONSTRUCT A MISSION PROJECT.
So you suffer through splitting wet macaroni lengthwise, dying it with food
coloring (tile roofing for you uninitiated), etc. If your child is a good student
(mine, fortunately, are) then the trip to see the selected mission is absolutely
required. You pack up the family (including bored siblings) and investigate the
past.
Now, while you are doing that, pay a little attention to the plant life on the side of
the road. See that plant about three or four feet high with the little yellow
flowers? That's mustard! The reason you see it on your way to the mission is
that Father Serra (and others) used mustard seed to mark their way. By sowing
this tiny seed along the path, they made sure that the plants would be there to
show the way the next year. It sure beats bread crumbs!
Our Lord compared the Kingdom of Heaven to the mustard plant. We see His
explanation that the kingdom begins with the smallest beginnings, but often we
miss some other, obvious points:
• It grows. It doesn't leap into existence, but it grows. For those who are close
to it, it does not appear to grow very fast. But think of this: when your kids
are growing up, you seldom remark "How they've grown." But take them to a
relative's house -- one who hasn't seen them for a year or so -- and you will
hear, "My how they've grown."
• It grows where it's planted. It doesn't spring from the ground unbidden; it
must be planted by faithful gardeners. Is it a coincidence that Adam was
placed in God's garden? If it doesn't grow, is it because of a lack of seed, or
a lack of gardeners?
• Our Lord noted that the birds might take shelter in it. Father Serra might
have added that it is there to point the way. There it is: the church, our
refuge, and our guide.
Are you sowing the seed? Are you tending the garden?
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