Purpose of Growth

[Rev. Johnson Unnithan]

Matthew 13: 31 - 32

Growth is desired. It is good when it is in the proper way. A plant which grows when a farmer plants it, is a good growth. A weed also grows, but is not desired by the farmer.

Today, agriculture/farming uses all kinds of harmones to produce BIG harvests. But these are not healthy. Similarly, we tend to grow. But what nurtures our growth determines if it good or bad.

• Gen 39:21 – The Lord was with Joseph … Joseph doesn’t see the harm done in his life from his own perspective. He seeks the will of God in all the sad events in his life.

The mustard seed is used when size is considered to show the insignificance of size. It blooms and grows into a tree. It doesn’t stop there. The birds come and make the tree their home. This was the purpose of the seed / tree.

In the other gospels, a lot of emphasis is given to the fruits of the tree. Here the emphasis is on the birds which make the tree their home. The mustard tree doesn’t grow huge. It can house only small birds. These birds can’t fly into lofty heights needed to house on larger trees.

This is to exemplify that the mustard seed as the purpose of providing shelter to the smaller of creatures too. The tree has no selfish interests from the birds. But it allows them to use it.

People, who give way for others in their own growth, actually grow better and stronger. People who grow for themselves get stunted at some point.

He alone lives, who lives for others. – Swami Vivekanada