Word to the Wise
Sunday, June 17, 2012 - 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time - B
[Ezek 17:22-24; 2 Cor 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34]"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." [Mark]
My garden is now yielding tomatoes and peppers. It is always amazing to me to experience this since I grew these plants from seed and now these tomatoes and peppers are the fruit that bears more seed for planting. However, my use of the words, "I grew these plants...." is not quite accurate. Yes, I did put the seed in soil and watered it, but one might say I only "facilitated" a process that is a matter of divine design! Plant genetics and evolution are not my subjects, but Jesus' parables about sowers, seeds and plants as images of the Kingdom of God are matters of preaching.
It might be helpful to get your Bible and read the whole of chapter four of the Gospel of Mark. There are three parables involving sowing, seeds, and harvest. The mystery of the kingdom is a rich mix of divine initiative and human cooperation. We have to remember that the kingdom of God is first of all the kingdom of GOD and not ours. It could be easy to become discouraged when we see few results or overconfident when we see many. Ultimately we are doing God's work. We also have to recognize that not every plant that grows is a result of our deliberate actions! God can do very well without our help!!!! Nevertheless, we can be instrumental, as disciples, in the process of spreading the kingdom. Our efforts to increase the harvest by manipulation of the seed can lead to overconfidence in our own abilities (which are, after all, God-given in the first place). Cultural drought that causes crop failure can lead to discouragement. God will see that the kingdom will come. We have to be faithful to the task.
Even for those who claim to have "a black thumb" instead of a "green" one, a walk in the park or any nearby field can acquaint us with the power of Jesus' parables about sowers, seeds and plants. If we only see what we see in the grocery store, we are missing a great deal! AMEN