Trending
Tim Mannello
Williamsport
My grandparents were "panettieri," the Italian word for bread makers. So were my Mom and Pop. Making bread has been my hobby for 50 years. It still is. That's why one sentence popped out to me in Pope Leo XIV's Inauguration Mass address. Pope Leo XIV called for Church to be "A LITTLE LEAVEN" of unity and love" in our world.
Leaven… Yeast. .. the miracle of bread making bakers never cease to exalt. Bread makers know the truth of the many anonymous baker quotes that describe the marvel of yeast. "The humble yeast, the silent architect of air and crumb, proving that great power comes in small packages." "In the quiet bowl, a tiny force is at work, turning simple ingredients into a voluminous wonder."
In Pope Leo XIV's' metaphorical use of "yeast," he evoked my favorite parable, Jesus' parable about leaven: "To what shall I compare God's Kingdom? It is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened" (Luke 13). This parable means that the Kingdom of God begins small, but grows to influence all aspects of life, similar to how a little yeast makes dough rise completely. Pope Leo is telling us the journey may be gradual, but through the inspiring power of love, Christians can act like yeast and help uplift and transform culture around them. Long live the Baker's Pope!