Introduction: The Gospel of this day tells us that Jesus taught the crowd about the way God does things “by
means of many parables.” The evangelist Mark gave us two of them about the reign of God. Both are
parables about contrast and growth. Both entice us to think God’s thoughts. We have to apply the Gospel
parables to our own day and work in life – that field where we help build the kingdom of God. The parables
of Jesus are pictures of life as it is. They tease and challenge us to think more deeply about the activity of
God in the broken condition of our lives.
Point 1: The parable of the seed growing to harvest tells us that ultimately God is responsible for His
creation. This was good news to Mark’s community of faith. The early Christians were let down by the fact
that Jesus had not returned. They were fearful of the impending Roman persecution and discouraged by the
responsible for the salvation of humankind. That is good news for us who live in a world so full of what is not
the reign of God – violence, war, nuclear threat, injustice, corruption, starvation, unemployment, inflation,
moral depravity, racism, marriage and family breakdown. It would be easy to get frustrated, discouraged and
even to despair of ever changing these massive evils and making the world over into the Kingdom of God. As
individuals we can feel so helpless. To us the parable says: Take heart; the reign of God is here. God, in
Jesus, has overcome the ultimate evils of sin and death. The God of the future will overcome all evil and
bring his kingdom to fulfillment.
Point 2: The parable of the mustard seed assures us that from humble beginnings come big endings.
Mark’s small community of the 60’s, as did the 12 apostles of Jesus’ time, wondered how to account for the
rapid spread of Christianity from the Pentecost event in Jerusalem to the whole of their Mediterranean world.
They knew their human limitations. They experiences opposition and even persecution for the gospel’s sake.
Again it was good news to hear that the Spirit of God was at work in their world. Through the charisms of the
Spirit, God was bringing many into his kingdom. Like the birds of the air finding a home in the mustard tree,
so many were finding a place in God’s kingdom. It is good news for us, too, to know that in our age when we
have the power to destroy this planet earth as a home to live in, that somehow God’s plan will not be
frustrated. How God will bring it about, we do not know. That he will bring it to fulfillment, we do now.
Like Paul in the second reading we can say: “We are full of confidence.”
Point 3: The parables also tell us that, though God is in charge, we too have a responsibility in helping
bring about His rule over all creation. We are not passive observers. We have a role to play. Just as the
farmer has to prepare the ground, plant the seed and harvest the crop when ripe, so we have to sow the seed of
God’s presence and power in our lives. The Spirit has been given us to do so. Little and insignificant as we
might seem to be, the results of what God can do in and through us are marvelous – like the great tree from
the tiny mustard seed. The mustard seed tells us: Don’t underestimate your potential for big
accomplishments. A warm smile, an appreciative “thank you,” a heartfelt compliment, a timely phone call,
letter, visit, a sharing of your time with an understanding heart, being with another in time of need – all these
will go a long way and produce a great harvest.
QUESTIONS THAT MAY LEAD TO OTHER THOUGHTS / REFLECTIONS / DISCUSSION
Scripture Reflection – 11th Sunday (B) – Holy Cross District Center – Brafoyaw – Page 1
1. What are some of the ways you have grown in your faith?
2. How can this help others? Or how has this been a help to others? Describe.
3. Realizing that the good fruit that come from your growth is Jesus working through you to make the
world a better place, how do you feel about this?
4. Describe various ways that you continue the mission of Christ in your ordinary life
Reading 1 – Ezekiel 17: 22 – 24
Scripture is always a message of hope and promise. In the geo-political situation of Ezekiel’s day, Israel is
destroyed and its kings are beyond salvation. But God will bring life even out of this death. God will save a
tender shoot from this seemingly dead plant and nurture it, and it will grow into a great tree. God is in
charge of history – the mighty will be brought low, the lowly will be raised high. Israel will live, not because
of anything it has done, but because this tender shoot will be given life and growth by God.
Reading 2 – 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10
Paul has a faith-awareness that he lives in exile and that he is always on the way home. For him, life or
death has become a matter of indifference. What does matter is that, in all times, places and circumstances,
he is pleasing to the Lord. He is aware of a responsibility to live the gospel that he has received. And, in the
end, his life will be fully revealed for all to see.
Reading 3 – The Gospel – Mark 4: 26 – 34
The parables of Jesus here in Mark’s gospel are parables of contrast and of growth. They are directed to
Mark’s community to encourage both confidence and patience.
1. The parable of the seed growing to harvest appears only in Mark. In terms of the harvest, the farmer
has only two actions: scattering seed and gathering the crop. The seed (the reign of God) has life in
itself. “The earth produced of itself”; the growth to completion is irresistible. Neither the growth nor
the harvest (parousia) is under the control of humankind but follows God’s plan.
2. Mark seems to understand the parable as addressed to those Christians who
were discouraged because nothing seemed to be happening as a result of Jesus’
ministry or their ministry. It may also have been an antidote to those who
impatiently looked for a miraculous intervention of God.
3. The parable of the mustard seed contrasts small beginnings with large
endings. Could this small band of disciples (Christians) ever become the kingdom
of God? Knowing full well the limitations of humankind, Jesus still is able to
speak with utter confidence of the final stage of the kingdom, because the
growth is the work of God. All people will find a home there.
4. The mystery and paradox of the reign of God which is both present and not yet fully realized can only be
conveyed in parables. The very struggle to grasp the meaning of the parables is somehow to be grasped
by the reality of the kingdom. Explanations of them always fall short because even they cannot contain
the reign of God.
JUNE 14, 2015 – Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – Lectionary: 92
Reading 1 – Ezekiel 17: 22-24
Thus says the Lord GOD:
I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar,
from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot,
and plant it on a high and lofty mountain;
on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it.
It shall put forth branches and bear fruit,
and become a majestic cedar.
Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it,
every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.
And all the trees of the field shall know
that I, the LORD,
bring low the high tree,
lift high the lowly tree,
wither up the green tree,
and make the withered tree bloom.
As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 92: 2-3, 13-14, 15-16
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praise to your name, Most High,
To proclaim your kindness at dawn
and your faithfulness throughout the night.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
The just one shall flourish like the palm tree,
like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.
They that are planted in the house of the LORD
shall flourish in the courts of our God.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
They shall bear fruit even in old age;
vigorous and sturdy shall they be,
Declaring how just is the LORD,
my rock, in whom there is no wrong.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
Reading 2 – 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10
Brothers and sisters:
We are always courageous,
although we know that while we are at home in the body
we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous,
and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
Therefore, we aspire to please him,
whether we are at home or away.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each may receive recompense,
according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
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 through it all 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.
Listen to the Scriptures: Click on the link below:
For the Church: that the seed of faith planted in the heart of each believer may
grow into a bountiful manifestation of God’s reign in the world, let us pray to the
Lord.
For a deeper love and appreciation for God’s Word: that the Word of God will
nourish and enrich us as we strive to be true disciples of Jesus, let us pray to the
Lord.
For growth in hope: that God’s faithful love will sustain us in times of
discouragement and empower us to persevere through difficult times with the
confidence that God makes all things new, let us pray to the Lord.
For the grace of reflection: that God will help us to look honestly at our lives and
recognize where we need God’s help and where we are called to be bold in sharing
our gifts, let us pray to the Lord.
For an appreciation of how we have grown: that God open us to the growth that
is taking place in our lives and give us the courage to continue faithfully to respond
to God’s invitations, let us pray to the Lord.
For the tender shoots in our midst, for the young, for those new to the faith,
for newly married couples, and for those beginning their ministry or
profession: that God will give them abundant growth and guide them to maturity
of faith and love, let us pray to the Lord.
For fledgling Christian communities, diocese and movements: that God will
bless their efforts, confirm them in faith and guide their activities so that Gospel
may transform hearts and society, let us pray to the Lord.
For all who are approaching death: that they may keep their eyes and hearts
fixed on Jesus and courageously surrender themselves into God’s loving care, let
us pray to the Lord.
For a bountiful harvest: that God will grant growth to crops this season and
seasonable weather so that all may be nourished and sustained by God’s gifts, let
us pray to the Lord.
For all nations which are beginning or rebuilding: that God will inspire them as
they develop laws and policies so that all may live with justice and peace, let us
pray to the Lord.
For the sick, for those preparing for or recovering from surgery, and for the
homebound: that God will bring healing and strength to their bodies and peace to
their minds, let us pray to the Lord.
For all who serve and protect us, for police, firefighters, emergency medical
personnel and members of the military: that God will keep them safe, guide
them in their service, and renew their minds and hearts, let us pray to the Lord.
For all who are in need, for migrants and refugees, for those struggling with
addictions, and for all runaway youth: that God will give them courage, lead
them to new opportunities, and fill them with hope, let us pray to the Lord.
For all who are seeking employment, particularly recent graduates: that God
will guide them to opportunities to use their talents and develop their skills, let us
pray to the Lord.
For peace: that God will touch hearts and give leaders courage to work to end
violence, promote the dignity of each person and protect the weak and innocent, let
us pray to the Lord.