29-Jan-16

Gospel MK 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come.”
He said,
“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
Reflection:
"Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow
he knows not how."
Jesus tells us that the means through which God brings about His Kingdom is displayed in nature for all to see.
In a field, just up the road from My Brother's Keeper, there stands a majestic, giant oak tree. It did not simply appear; it was born several hundred years ago from a small acorn. During its life, it has suffered loss of limbs due to storms and periods of stagnant growth because of droughts. But, nurtured by sun and rain, the majestic oak has overcome all obstacles and steadily grown to maturity.
When I drive by that field and look at the giant oak, I find myself smiling. I smile because for me, that oak is a sign of hope. It is a reminder that slowly, steadily the Kingdom of God is on the way.
Throughout the ages, the greed of man and the generosity of God race side by side. Nurtured by the image of God, which lies within the human heart, the Kingdom of God marches forward.
In moments of discouragement, I drive up the road and stare at the majestic oak, and my hope is restored.
I believe that in God's time, the goodness of Jesus Christ will overcome the selfishness of human nature and the Kingdom of God will come about on earth.

"Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near." - James 5: 7-8