SUNDAY- 11TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -B
I Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24: Speaking of Israel’s future,
Ezekiel pictures God transplanting a tiny spring into the new ground where it grows
into a mighty cedar.
II Reading: 2Corinthians 5:6-10: Though we make our journey “by
faith and not by sight”, we walk with confidence.
Gospel: Mark 4: 26-34: Jesus compares the kingdom to a mustard
seed that grows into a mighty tree, but its growth is often as imperceptible as
that of a seed hidden in the ground.
The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Growth of Believers, 4:26-29
The
three readings of today give us the courage to deal with discouragement in human
life. there are two main causes of our losing heart in Christian life: first,
our personal weakness and second, the problems arising within the Christian
community.
The
common lesson in all the three readings
as follows: the success of the kingdom of God,
both within ourselves and in the world at large is more God’s work than
ours. We should not trust ourselves but place in God our confidence. All that
God wants from us is that we try to carry out his will at all times in spite of
our weakness.
No
one can stop the kingdom of God from spreading. Although the kingdom of God
starts from a tiny beginning, it has enormous potential and power within it
to spread. Unless we ourselves prevent it, God’s kingdom keeps on growing
within us at all times. To secure our harvest we must do God’s will. The way we
do God’s will determine the quality of the harvest which Christ will come to
gather when we die. Human no matter how powerful he/she may appear is very
weak; his/her works no matter how great, are doomed to disappear. God’s works
remain; so will the work of those who put their trust in the Lord, and not in
themselves. God’s wisdom, power, and love shine most clearly in the way he
plants and tends the growth of this kingdom. God’s kingdom will attain maturity
when we keep God’s will during life. God has fixed the time of our death with
infinite love. He has chosen the most suitable moment to complete our
salvation. Let no one discouraged in the work of tending the field of his or
her soul. Our harvest is assured.
This the parable tells what happens to the fruitful seed in the parable of the Sower or
Soils (Mk 4:1-20). It describes how the seed goes about growing, and the
process through which it passes. The seed is the Gospel and the ground is the
good soil, the believer individually or the church collectively. There are four
things said about the fruitful seed once it has taken root, but the major point
is that growth is sure; it is inevitable. Once the Gospel has taken root in the
heart of a believer, growth will take place. The believer will grow
spiritually. This is the great promise of God, the great assurance and
confidence, the great hope and encouragement to every believer.
1. The parable: describes the kingdom
(v.26)
2. The seed is sown by a man (v.26)
3. The growth is not of man (v.27)
4. The growth is sure and constant, but
gradual (v.28)
5. The growth is consummated and
harvested (v.29)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed: The Growth of God’s Kingdom,
4:30-32
Jesus
is describing the growth and greatness of his kingdom, that is, of
Christianity. He shows how Christianity begins as the smallest of seeds and
grows into the greatest of movements. It is a powerful message to all. The seed
of faith begins ever so small in the Baptism and nourishes day by day to the
fullness of joy and happiness with the Lord.
Thought: The growth of a tree
from a small seed is nothing compared to the growth of a person who truly comes
to know Christ nor to the growth of a church that is truly committed to the
mission of Christ (John 12: 24).
Thought: The genuine
believer (good soil) can rest assured: he is truly God’s child, and God will
complete the work of grace in his/her life. The grace of God planted in a
person’s heart is unstoppable. The believer’s confidence is in God, not in
his/her own flesh and weak efforts. Therefore there is no reason for being down
or discouraged, withdrawn and depressed.
Growth requires
much patience and trust. Growth is of God, and the believer is to trust and to
wait upon God for growth. What an encouragement to believers!
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