Jesus said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."
- Luke 13:18-21
Our Lord Jesus Christ frequently used simple everyday images to teach profound truths. He compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed. He pictures leaven hidden in a measure of flour. Both images show something small and seemingly insignificant that actually possesses the power to bring about remarkable change.
The mustard seed begins as the tiniest of seeds, yet grows into a great shrub where birds find shelter. So it is with the work of God in our lives. A small act of charity, a quiet prayer, a word of encouragement, or a simple sacrifice offered in love may appear unimportant at the time, yet God can use these things to accomplish far more than we imagine.
The image of leaven teaches us something equally important. Hidden within the flour, it works silently until the whole measure is transformed. God's grace often works in us in this way. We may not immediately perceive its effects, but through prayer, the sacraments, and faithful obedience, Christ gradually transforms our hearts.
Too often we're tempted to search for dramatic signs of spiritual progress, and yet God most often accomplishes His greatest work through ordinary acts of faithfulness.
We should never discount small beginnings. The Kingdom grows wherever Christ is welcomed and His grace is permitted to work. It's then that we become instruments of that grace, when we cooperate by allowing His love to transform us and eventually, through us, the world around us.