Therefore, I was intrigued to read of and muse on the connection between the earth and the realm of God. It has a very Celtic feel about it. I haven’t yet plunged the depth of all that must be contained in this connection but sense it is an important one.
In the passage, Jesus uses two illustrations both are of seeds being nourished in the earth. In the first story, the realm of God is likened to seed scattered on the ground which grows without human intervention — “the earth produces of itself”.
I know that often seeds are deliberately sown but watching our garden I am even more aware of how the earth itself is party to sowing seeds — many of our plants and trees are self-seeded. They grow in abundance. In a storm earlier this year we lost our very old redbud, (a larger spruce fell on it and destroyed it) but now we have baby redbuds springing up in abundance. Another great connection with the realm of God — the earth is generous and expansive.
The second story is of a mustard seed. Perhaps the first thing that springs to mind when mustard is mentioned is the yellow condiment often served with meals. I have seen mustard fields which have a particular beauty, yellow plants stretching as far as the eye can see. (Brassicaceae)
However, I think that common idea of mustard should be laid aside when thinking of this parable. I believe the seed put into the earth here produces the mustard tree which is native to Israel and several other countries in the Middle East and Africa. Salvadora Persica is actually a shrub which grows up to thirty feet tall. This shrub thrives in hot, dry conditions. It has many uses. Birds shelter and nest within its branches. Tree leaves are said to help cure many diseases including coughs, asthma and rheumatism. Goats and camels also feed on them. It is also known as the toothbrush tree as the fibrous branches are used for teeth cleaning. The small berries are eaten, both fresh and dried, whilst the leaves are used to make salads.
The earth produces this tree, which is a place of refuge, a place of new life, a place of healing and a place of nourishment. Such a wonderful picture on the realm of God. So today, we celebrate Eucharist outside, our feet on the earth, surrounded by the plants and trees brought forth by the earth and are reminded again of this connection, this linking of the earth and the realm of God.
