Gospel: Mark 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for John Hayes RIP.
Reflection:
Nicholas worked as lay chaplain in his organization. He organised a Mass for a big gathering of people. He invited Fr Desiderio, a priest from the nearby church. When the day came, only a few people turned up. Although Nicholas did not reveal his disappointment, Fr Desiderio sensed it. At the end of Mass, the priest told Nicholas that not everything has to be spectacular. In today’s Gospel, Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to seeds. On their own, seeds are not spectacular. But when sown, they “would sprout and grow” or, if it was a mustard seed, 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.” If we think of how Jesus grew, there was nothing spectacular about it. For thirty years, He lived in a remote town under the authority of Joseph and Mary. And when He began preaching, He chose not the learned, but simple fishermen. He may have gained a great following later, but it all started with a small band of friends. Closer to home, our parish was established without any fanfare. Our forebears gathered to pray. As the community grew, they raised funds to build a church. Despite Covid-19, the parish continues its work of evangelisation. If we get disheartened when our work in the community does not seem to bear fruit, let us remember that God works low key most of the time.
- How can you let the seed of the Kingdom sown in your heart grow?
- In what ways can you help advance God’s Kingdom in your family, workplace, or community?
- “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Do you consider yourself as tough? Why or why not?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Grant us the grace to work with humility and perseverance for the coming of Your Kingdom. Amen.