“It grows”, the Kingdom of God, like a mustard seed. From sparse beginnings it will eventually unfold and become the greatest of all.
This is the message of today’s Readings. A message that comes to us, 1) as we prepare for the coming fast that will end in Easter, 2) as Winter reigns soon to exchanged though with Spring and Summer, 3) as small signs in creation tells us of the everlasting and loving Gospel.
For many reasons this message is heartwarming and much needed. In our current times of war-like conditions, the message of not only fear growing, but love as well, is comforting for both body and mind.
In relation to this, what I like to talk about today is how today’s message though, seems to require a lot of patience from us. It takes time for the mustard seed to grow; hence patience is a virtue we all need.
That patience is a virtue is well-known. In the Bible, patience is highlighted as an important virtue over and over again.
In an Old Testament Psalm, the following is stated:
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Sl 27)
In a New Testament letter, the following is stated:
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (Jam 5)
Not only in the Bible though, is patience described as an important virtue. In the iconic Star Wars franchise, patience is essential for the good knights, the jedis, as well.
Over and over again the jedi teacher, Yoda, highlights patience as one of the most important virtues:
“Patience you must have until the mud settles and the water is clear.” Yoda argues.
How come? Well, Yoda connects patience with fear. In fear, people act impatiently. In fear, people rash to make conclusions and to respond.
But an act out of fear is not good. No, patience is needed. Patience makes your mind clear, and “Clear your mind must be” Yoda says, before your acts is not in danger of being either to no good or even evil.
“If you end your training now” Yoda warns his impatient student. “If you choose the quick and easy path… – you will become and agent of evil. Patience.”
How come I find it important to talk about this virtue, patience, today? Well, in short because patience – despite being a virtue not only spiritual, but secular people as well can agree to – is a virtue under pressure.
Maybe we do not act directly against patience. But we have some modern tendencies that might not be all beneficial for upholding patience.
I am thinking of tendencies like efficiency and optimising. I do not think these tendencies work directly against patience, but for sure, in a world where we get used to faster delivery times and stores being open 24/7, patience is not needed for materiel goods to see your needs.
I am one of the last generations to remember a time, where stores were closed on Sundays, where delivery services did not work on weekends, where questions could not be answered immediately via chat bots and other online resources.
I am one of the last generations to remember a time, where you had to wait – be patient – for you to be satisfied by material goods and other needs.
I will not argue that we should go back to a time where shops are not allowed to be open on a Sunday. Nor will I argue for quick deliveries and the like to be limited.
Because as such, these things are not fighting directly against patience. They might not be beneficial, but nor are these tendencies fighting directly against patience.
I believe patience can be upheld as a virtue with these tendencies. As long as we are aware. Aware of the looming danger. Aware that some things cannot be delivered within 24 hours.
Salvation for instance, the kingdom of God, cannot be delivered with Prime+ or the like. It needs time, it needs patience.
As many of you know, the past two months I had had to go to the emergency with my wife. I am happy that some things in our society are available as an emergency. Some things in our society truly benefit of quick first responders, sirens and flares.
But let us not put the same expectations to all matters we deal with. Least let us put the same expectations to faith and the Kingdom of God.
Because it comes not to us with sirens and flares, it comes not to us as a first responder to an emergency. It comes to us as a seed, a mustard seed. A seed that needs time. Time to grow and become what it is: Something bigger and grander than we can possibly imagine.
Again, I do not argue against certain modern tendencies. I am still very happy for quick deliveries and the like. Especially I recall the great delight of being able to buy diapers with a 1-hour delivery. That sure came in handy the couple of times I to late learned that we had ran out.
My only raised finger is that we always must remember – and value – the things that cannot be delivered like that. These things might not come as handy to us, nor seem as available. But they are – not least the Kingdom of God – greater.
“It grows”, the Kingdom of God, like a mustard seed. From sparse beginnings it will eventually unfold and become the greatest of all.
Amen.