He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."

The kingdom of heaven has its origins in a tiny seed planted in the earth to die.  Over the course of many centuries it spreads throughout the earth and a great many people find their home therein.

Some are scandalized by its humble beginnings, others by its painfully slow growth as man reckons it.  God's ways are not man's ways and this way is very slow, patient growth.  Man seeks immediate results and can't seem to accept processes which span generations not to mention centuries.

If this is the way the kingdom grows and spreads can we not also expect the same for the growth of virtue in the human heart, at least for the majority of us?  We become impatient with our own growth in the spiritual life and all too easily either give up the struggle out of impatience or become paralyzed due to discouragement.  Yet we must trust that our roots are there, growing ever deeper and our branches ever higher.  In time others see us and look to us for their inspiration, encouragement and example; just as we build our nests in the kingdom's branches so others build in us.

Everything in the world seems to happen at an ever-increasing, maddening pace.  To adopt the world's standards of measurement for gauging the personal growth of souls is a great mistake.  Thus should we bear with others in utmost patience and gentleness.

Finally, both the sun and the rain are necessary for the tree's growth.  Therefore we should face both trials and consolations with the greatest of peace and equanimity, knowing that both are necessary to make us more like Christ.