His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the Parable of the Mustard Seed, showing that the focus is not on the smallness of the seed but on its divine power to grow. It begins very small but becomes a great tree in whose branches the birds of the air find shelter. This parable is one of growth and hope in the Kingdom of God.

Main spiritual ideas

1. The divine power of growth:
   The greatness of the mustard seed is not in its size but in its inner life and ability to grow, symbolizing the Kingdom of God that starts small but fills the whole world.

2. God’s humility in His comparisons:
   God likened His Kingdom to simple things — yeast, wheat, and a mustard seed — revealing His humility that works through small beginnings.

3. God works through small things:
   God used Moses’ staff, a piece of clay, five loaves and two fish, a small village like Bethlehem, and the orphan girl, the Virgin Mary, to show that His strength is not measured by size but by grace.

4. The Church starts small and grows:
   The Church began as a mustard seed — a small group of twelve disciples — and spread to fill the earth, fulfilling the prophecy of growth and expansion through the ages.

5. Growth requires care and grace:
   “A man took it and planted it in his field” — the man symbolizes Christ who planted the Church in the world and nurtured it until it became a great tree. Growth comes through cooperation between human effort and divine grace.

6. Life within the seed is the secret of growth:
   Just as the mustard seed contains the image of the full tree within it, every believer carries within him the divine life that can grow when planted and nourished by grace.

7. The birds symbolize saints and believers:
   The birds that rest on the branches symbolize the holy souls who find peace in the Church, the living house of God that embraces all His children.

8. A call to hope and action:
   The parable teaches us to begin even with small spiritual efforts or services, for God can make a small start grow into a great work when it holds life and grace.

Final message
Smallness is not weakness in the Kingdom of God but the beginning of greatness. God works through what is humble and simple to reveal His glory. Every believer can be a “mustard seed” that grows by grace and becomes a tree giving rest and love to others in Christ.

For better translation support, please contact the center.