THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED
The gospel for this weekend presents to us a compelling understanding of faith in the image of the mustard seed. The mustard seed, as what Jesus himself described, is the smallest of all seeds but, when fully grown, it is one of the largest of all plants. But before it can fully realize its greatest potential, the seed has to endure the test and rigors of time and withstand the tests of nature and, in the end, emerge as one of the biggest trees where other creatures find refuge in it. Our faith is like that - when we receive it at the start, we may say: “This is so small and insignificant compared to the great and grand things of this world.” But because we are passionately convinced what it is and where it came from, we nurture it over time through God's grace and through our active
participation; it can grow big and has the potential to change the lives of others and the world. Do you have a persevering and nurturing faith? After many years of nurturing it, do other people thrive in it or does it drive other people away?
Last Tuesday, we had our 8 ^th grade graduation. There were 25 students who graduated from our parochial school this year. They were beaming with pride and joy as they accepted their diplomas. We are very proud to say that they were all accepted to their desired high schools. It’s interesting that the Gospel that the class chose for the Graduation Mass was exactly the same Gospel that we had for this weekend — very appropriate for the celebration. Looking back when they first arrived here at St. Cecilia’s, they were probably just a sprouting “mustard seed”, and as they were nourished, watered with knowledge, love, care, and enriched by the interactions and friendships with classmates and other people, they have grown to be sturdy “trees”, where other people can find refuge, strength, and inspiration. And this tree will continue to grow and grow as each day goes by. Remember what was described of the mustard seed in the gospel as it grew larger — “the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’’ As they grow in success and reap the fruits of their labor, I reminded them that success is not just for their own personal benefit, but for the good of other people. True success is not just about improving our own lives, but also the lives of other people around us just like the success of a mustard tree when the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches. The “birds that would flock your branches are those people whom you will establish relationships and will be part of your journey to success.
As we recognize their hard work for all these years, we are equally grateful to all those who have journeyed with them in order for them to arrive at this point: their parents for their unconditional love, our teachers and the school staff who have honed, challenged, and recognized their gifts and capabilities, their classmates and friends whom they have walked side by side to rise above the challenges and expectations and, last but certainly not the least, the whole parish community, which continues to model to them an authentic Christian witnessing of the faith. As you can see, the success of our Catholic education ministry is indeed a collaboration of many hands. Congratulations to the Class of 2015, we are very proud of you! – Fr. Cary