In Matthew 13, Jesus offers a rapid series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven: the sower and the seed, the wheat and the weeds, the mustard seed, and the yeast. The seeds and the yeast show how small the beginnings are, but how great the rewards are. The wheat and the weeds show us that good and evil coexist on earth but will be separated at the Judgment.
We must let Christ sow his word in us, and through us to other people. This is how the Kingdom of Heaven grows. This requires, however, not only that listen to the word in study, prayer, the scriptures, and the sacraments, but that we share it with others in our words and deeds. This is only possible if, like the mustard seed, we become small and self-giving. The seed is small, and so we are humble listeners. The seed is self-giving, and ultimately becomes an integral part of the large plant that it nourished, so we must give of ourselves and share in the Body of Christ. We lose nothing by sharing in the life of the Church, we are not destroyed if we give our lives in service of God. Pope Benedict XVI points out that.
"If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed... [D]o not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ--and you will find true life." (Homily, 24 April, 2005)
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