"PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM"
First Reading : Ezekiel 17: 22-34
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10
Gospel Reading: Mark 4 : 26-34
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Ezekiel. In this passage Ezekiel speaks about the downfall of Jerusalem. He compares the King and the people of Judah to a small cutting of a tall tree which God will take and plant on Mount Zion. Thus the Prophet gives hope of restoration of the Kingdom that will be brought about by a member of the chosen race. He also mentions that in future Messiah will set up a universal Kingdom.
* Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage Paul asks the Christians in Corinth to be courageous in the face of death. He says that his priority at all times is to please the Lord. Hence he has no fears of appearing before the Lord. He exhorts them to lead a life pleasing to the Lord so that they can expect the reward at the end of their lives.
"The Kingdom of God....is like a Grain of Mustard Seed"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. In this passage, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God through two parables. In the first parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to what happens when a seed is sown by a farmer. Once the seed is sown, the farmer waits for harvest time. The cycle of growth follows but the farmer does not know how it happens. Apparently nothing seems to be happening yet the miracle of growth is taking place. Just as the harvest comes in its own time, so the Kingdom will reach its completion in God's appointed time. It is God's Kingdom not of our own making.
In the second parable Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed which is very small in size but grows into a large shrub which gives shelter to birds of the air. In this parable Jesus makes a contrast between the smallness of the seed and the luxurious growth of the plant. Small beginnings can make for mighty achievements. Littleness is no index of importance in God's Kingdom. The small mustard seed grows to become a shelter for the birds of the air.
So also the Kingdom of God grows slowly to envelop the whole world. In the same way, no matter how small our efforts may be as small as a mustard seed, to promote Christian values, God will multiply them with His hidden power to bring about wonderful results. All we need to do is to trust in the power of God. We may not necessarily see those results immediately. But Jesus assures us through the parables that they will happen in our own times.
As the saying goes:
"Where will tomorrow's trees come from?
From the shoots we plant today.
Where will tomorrow's justice and peace get their start?
From the seeds we sow with our hearts today"
Let the grain of mustard seed grow to shelter the birds of the air!
First Reading : Ezekiel 17: 22-34
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10
Gospel Reading: Mark 4 : 26-34
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Ezekiel. In this passage Ezekiel speaks about the downfall of Jerusalem. He compares the King and the people of Judah to a small cutting of a tall tree which God will take and plant on Mount Zion. Thus the Prophet gives hope of restoration of the Kingdom that will be brought about by a member of the chosen race. He also mentions that in future Messiah will set up a universal Kingdom.
* Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage Paul asks the Christians in Corinth to be courageous in the face of death. He says that his priority at all times is to please the Lord. Hence he has no fears of appearing before the Lord. He exhorts them to lead a life pleasing to the Lord so that they can expect the reward at the end of their lives.
"The Kingdom of God....is like a Grain of Mustard Seed"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. In this passage, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God through two parables. In the first parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to what happens when a seed is sown by a farmer. Once the seed is sown, the farmer waits for harvest time. The cycle of growth follows but the farmer does not know how it happens. Apparently nothing seems to be happening yet the miracle of growth is taking place. Just as the harvest comes in its own time, so the Kingdom will reach its completion in God's appointed time. It is God's Kingdom not of our own making.
In the second parable Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed which is very small in size but grows into a large shrub which gives shelter to birds of the air. In this parable Jesus makes a contrast between the smallness of the seed and the luxurious growth of the plant. Small beginnings can make for mighty achievements. Littleness is no index of importance in God's Kingdom. The small mustard seed grows to become a shelter for the birds of the air.
So also the Kingdom of God grows slowly to envelop the whole world. In the same way, no matter how small our efforts may be as small as a mustard seed, to promote Christian values, God will multiply them with His hidden power to bring about wonderful results. All we need to do is to trust in the power of God. We may not necessarily see those results immediately. But Jesus assures us through the parables that they will happen in our own times.
As the saying goes:
"Where will tomorrow's trees come from?
From the shoots we plant today.
Where will tomorrow's justice and peace get their start?
From the seeds we sow with our hearts today"
Let the grain of mustard seed grow to shelter the birds of the air!
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