LEAVEN OF A MORE HUMAN LIFE
It’s surprising to see how frequently Jesus directs himself to his disciples to put them on guard against a false «messianic impatience» that doesn’t know how to respect the rhythm of the discrete but vigorous action of God.
To those who expect him to put in march a forceful and overwhelming movement, capable of ending other currents and alternatives, Jesus tells them of an action of God that is more humble and respectful. The world is a field of opposing sowings. And God’s reign grows there, in the density of that life that’s at times so ambiguous and complex.
There God is saving human beings. In those collective behaviors, inspired sometimes by grand ideals and other times by obscure selfishness. In those thousand gestures that we do each day and where generosity is mixed with the most shameful pettiness.
To those who await the display of something spectacular and powerful, Jesus tells them of a simpler and more discrete reign of God. Something that isn’t done to unleash grandiose movements of the masses. God’s reign is already in action, but in the manner of a miniscule and almost laughable mustard seed that humbly germinates, or like an imperceptible pinch of leaven that gets lost in the mass, fermenting it from within.
We won’t open ourselves to God’s reign by casting excommunications onto other groups, parties or ideologies, or condemning everything that doesn’t coincide with our thinking. We won’t implant it in society by amassing huge crowds or getting the passing applause of multitudes.
God’s reign is a «leaven of humanity» and grows in whatever obscure corner of the world where human beings love each other and where there’s a struggle for a more dignified humanity. We will open up a path to God’s reign by letting the power of the Gospel transform our way of living, loving, working, enjoying, struggling and being.
José Antonio Pagola
Translator: Fr. Jay VonHandorf
