A few days ago, after reading this parable about the seed and the growth of the tree and its shade, I decided to go for walk in Old Town. And I love walking in Old Town because, unlike the newer subdivisions, we have trees here. Large and beautiful ones—not the small, just-planted ones. And I was thankful for those large trees out there because it was really hot outside. Something like 95 degrees and sunny and humid—and it was doubly hot because I was wearing my black clothes (clerics) out there. So, as I was walking, I thanked God for those big trees out there because they provided that shade which is so nice and cool and which makes walking in Old Town Florissant so wonderful.
In fact, as I was walking, I saw a few people working in their yards and they stopped and said, “Hey, Father!” and I enjoyed some conversations along the way. And those conversations took place not in the middle of the street under the blazing heat. They took place in the cool shade. And I said to myself, “Self, I think there’s a homily here.”
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When Jesus talks about the mustard seed, He is firstly talking about Himself. He is the mustard seed. And He gives growth to and brings forth the tree—which is the Church. The Kingdom of God, therefore, is Jesus—and it is His Church. That’s the ultimate meaning of the parable.
But notice: the tree grows from the seed. The tree looks different than the seed. By analogy, the Church is going to grow and develop over the ages. And therefore it will look different than it did as a seed—that is, as it was during the time of the Apostles. But here’s the thing: it’s the same tree. From the same seed.
This is very important, this organic growth. Because this means that there’s no such thing as a “pre-Vatican church” or a “post-Vatican church.” It’s just one Church. Nor is there a “pre-Tridentine church” or a “post-Tridentine church”—Tridentine being about the Council of Trent. No, it’s just one Church.
Has there been growth and development? Yes, absolutely.
But, as soon as we see things that are totally contrary to the one universal Church—as soon as we start hearing things being taught that have never been taught before—we can get rid of those things. They are not part of the tree; they are a foreign and invasive species.
So we talk about the “perennial teaching” of the Church. Another word is traditio, from the Greek, meaning “to hand on,” from which we get the word Tradition. So, for example, Saint Therese of Lisieux or Saint John Vianney or Saint Vincent de Paul or Saint Augustine—they should be able to come into the pews today and say, “Hey, I recognize this Church. It doesn’t look exactly like I remember it (because the Tree was a sapling in my day), but ah! it’s growing.” And when it comes to the teachings, they should be able to look at the Church’s teachings today and say: “Ah, yes! How wonderful! What you say today naturally flows from the seed of knowledge that we had at that time.”
And that’s quite the contrast to them saying, “Huh. What you teach is odd. How did you come up with that?”
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This is important, because what does the tree—what
does the Church—provide? The shade.
And what does the shade provide? Coolness.
And I don’t mean “cool” like “hip,” no. (We are going to be anything but hip as Catholics. We oftentimes are the total contrary of being hip. We don’t chase after the fads of the passing world).
The shade provides the protection against the heat.
And what is the heat? The world. The heat of the day where there are those noonday devils.
The Church, in her perennial teachings, in her prayerful life, in her reflection, and in her being one with Jesus—that’s what protects us from the world. And gives us strength and courage in the world.
And that means that we must dwell in that shade. Which is what we just heard in the parable. It’s an often-overlooked detail, but it is a vital detail. It says,
The tree puts forth large branches, so that
the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.
What does it mean to dwell in this shade of this Tree which is the Catholic Church?
To dwell in it means, first, to do what you are doing right now: you come to Holy Mass and it is a place of prayer and coolness and rest and conversation and you are protected.
But it also means to reflect upon the teachings of the Church.
And it’s not enough to simply rely on experts to give you the meanings. Just open up the Catechism. It is one of the beautiful things of the Catechism: it tells you clearly what the teachings are. And you don’t have to be an expert to read it. And you can rely on that and trust in that and dwell in that because it protects you from the craziness and confusion that is in the heat of the world.
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A final thought.
The birds that were in the tree in its shade. They had an ancient, spiritual meaning: the angels. The birds, of course, are real beings that fly in the sky—but, as they are beings that flew, they were almost seen to have a spiritual quality to them. Artists would often depict angels, therefore, with wings. They saw a kind of “lightness” in the birds; an ability not only to fly, but to be above the earth’s difficulties and its painful heat.
Why do I mention all of this?
Because the good angels are also here.
We recently celebrated Corpus Christi. And we were reminded on that great solemnity about our communion with Jesus in the Eucharist and our communion with all Catholics throughout the universal Church throughout the world.
But there is one more element that we must reflect upon: and that is that we are in communion with the holy angels of God.
This is important, because what do the angels do? Their names often give it away: they are called guardian angels. They protect you in this shade in the Church. They help you!
But when was the last time you prayed to your guardian angel? Do you remember your guardian angel? Have you asked for his help? Or St. Michael the Archangel?—the one who protects us in battle and is our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. When was the last time we called upon Saint Michael to help us in the heat of this Day?
Yes, brothers and sisters, our Lord is giving us many gifts. We are walking in grace. He protects us and gives us some rest. Because in that shade things are better: they are cooler and restful and contemplative; there is conversation; even an enjoyment of life. To enjoy life again: to stop and smell the flowers. – But you don’t stop and smell the flowers if you are always afraid. And you are afraid if you don’t believe that you are being protected.
Our Lord is protecting you. He is with you. He is giving
you grace. You are in the Church. You are surrounded by holy and beautiful
angels. You can slow down. You can enjoy the shade of the Tree. +
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