Jesus gives a couple of parables about the kingdom of God. In the first the sower sows a seed and then it grows without the sower's intervention until the harvest, producing "first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear" (4:28). In the second the tiny mustard seed grows into the largest shrub, becoming a home for birds and other animals.
What does this tell us about the kingdom? The seed of the kingdom is faith in God. "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent" (Jn 6:29). Since by earth is meant us (consider the well-known parable of the sower), the kingdom unfolds in concert with our free will. One father writes that this kingdom develops in three stages: by the blade is meant natural law, the ear is to be collected and offered as in the law of Moses, and the full grain or fruit corresponds to the Gospel and its fruits of charity, forgiveness, etc. Our faith in God can lead us through these stages, both individually and collectively as a people. At the end of time the Son will return to harvest what has been growing through its inherent power and our cooperation.
Or another interpretation describes the development of virtue:
GREGORY; Or else; Man casts seed to the ground, when he places a good intention in his heart; and he sleeps, when he already rests in the hope which attends on a good work. But he rises night and day because he advances amidst prosperity and adversity, though he knows it not for he is as yet unable to measure his increase, and yet virtue, once conceived, goes on increasing. When therefore we conceive good desires, we put seed into the ground; when we begin to work rightly, we are the blade. When we increase to the perfection of good works, we arrive at the ear; when we are firmly fixed in the perfection of the same working, we already put forth the full corn in the ear.
The second parable indicates that though the kingdom starts through such a tiny seed, faith in God, it grows up to be spoken of universally throughout the world. This proclamation happens through the Church, who continues to send ones to believe in. By the birds of the air are meant men of lofty contemplation, such as St. Augustine or many other gentiles who come to rest in the work of the Church. St. Augustine wrote, "I have read in Plato or Cicero sayings that are wise and very beautiful; but I have never read in either of them: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden."
Lord, send us your representatives in whom we can believe. Help us to trustingly accept in faith the witness of our friends and spiritual directors, and so become a witness ourselves. Lead us to dwell in the sacramental and missionary life of the Church, taking on Christ's light burden.
Mary, Queen of apostles and martyrs, find us with your servants, and win us over, so that we may cooperate with the kingdom of God's ongoing development. Send us some of your grace to help form in us the virtues that are conducive to that kingdom.
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