His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explained the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 13), showing that its essence lies in growth, not smallness. The greatness of the seed is that it grows into a large tree where the birds of the air — representing believers — find rest and refuge, symbolizing the Church.
Faith That Grows
The Lord compared faith to a mustard seed that can move mountains, emphasizing that true faith is not about size but inner vitality that grows through grace and perseverance. Faith begins small but, when nurtured, becomes a mighty spiritual force.
The Humility of God
In His humility, God likened His Kingdom to small things — a grain of wheat, leaven, a net, or a mustard seed — and used simple means in His miracles: Moses’ staff, clay, or five loaves and two fish. This reveals that God’s power works through the humble and small.
Examples from Scripture
The Pope gave many examples of “mustard seeds” that became great:
Moses, slow of speech, became God’s spokesman.
Gideon, weak and fearful, became a mighty deliverer.
David, the youngest shepherd, became king and psalmist.
Samuel, the little boy, became a great prophet.
The Virgin Mary, a poor orphan, became the Mother of God.
Bethlehem, the smallest town, became the birthplace of Christ.
Examples from the Church
God also used small beginnings in Church history:
St. Athanasius the Apostolic, once a deacon at Nicaea, became the defender of faith and Pope of Alexandria.
St. Anthony the Great, a simple young man, became the father of monasticism.
Habib Girgis, who began with one small Sunday School class, sparked a movement that spread across the Coptic Church.
Divine and Human Cooperation
Growth requires cooperation between divine grace and human effort, as St. Paul said: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” The seed must be planted, watered, and patiently tended, for growth happens gradually in its proper time.
The Church as a Great Tree
The Church began as a small group of disciples, a mustard seed, but has grown into a worldwide tree with branches across all continents. The birds of the air — faithful believers — find rest, peace, and shelter within it.
Spiritual Lesson
We are called to begin even with something small, for God can make it great. What matters is a living spiritual life, receptive to grace and rooted in faith. Every holy work starts as a mustard seed, but when planted in divine love, it grows into a fruitful tree for the Kingdom of God.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
Meditations on the Parable of the Mustard Seed
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explained the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 13), showing that its essence lies in growth, not smallness. The greatness of the seed is that it grows into a large tree where the birds of the air — representing believers — find rest and refuge, symbolizing the Church.
Faith That Grows
The Lord compared faith to a mustard seed that can move mountains, emphasizing that true faith is not about size but inner vitality that grows through grace and perseverance. Faith begins small but, when nurtured, becomes a mighty spiritual force.
The Humility of God
In His humility, God likened His Kingdom to small things — a grain of wheat, leaven, a net, or a mustard seed — and used simple means in His miracles: Moses’ staff, clay, or five loaves and two fish. This reveals that God’s power works through the humble and small.
Examples from Scripture
The Pope gave many examples of “mustard seeds” that became great:
Moses, slow of speech, became God’s spokesman.
Gideon, weak and fearful, became a mighty deliverer.
David, the youngest shepherd, became king and psalmist.
Samuel, the little boy, became a great prophet.
The Virgin Mary, a poor orphan, became the Mother of God.
Bethlehem, the smallest town, became the birthplace of Christ.
Examples from the Church
God also used small beginnings in Church history:
St. Athanasius the Apostolic, once a deacon at Nicaea, became the defender of faith and Pope of Alexandria.
St. Anthony the Great, a simple young man, became the father of monasticism.
Habib Girgis, who began with one small Sunday School class, sparked a movement that spread across the Coptic Church.
Divine and Human Cooperation
Growth requires cooperation between divine grace and human effort, as St. Paul said: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” The seed must be planted, watered, and patiently tended, for growth happens gradually in its proper time.
The Church as a Great Tree
The Church began as a small group of disciples, a mustard seed, but has grown into a worldwide tree with branches across all continents. The birds of the air — faithful believers — find rest, peace, and shelter within it.
Spiritual Lesson
We are called to begin even with something small, for God can make it great. What matters is a living spiritual life, receptive to grace and rooted in faith. Every holy work starts as a mustard seed, but when planted in divine love, it grows into a fruitful tree for the Kingdom of God.
For better translation support, please contact the center.