Key:
What these passages tell us about God
What these passages tell us to do
Commentary
Reading 1 EZ 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 PS 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16
R. (cf. 2a) Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praiseto 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.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praiseto 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 COR 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.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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 seedon 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.
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.
1. God can and will do far more good that we can possibly imagine, in circumstances where we would never expect it (first reading, gospel).
2. We should respond to that by sowing the seeds for Him to work with, as many as we can, even if success seems modest/unlikely by human means. God can turn what we offer to far more good than we can possibly imagine (gospel).
3. What do those seeds look like? They are varied beyond description, but the corporal acts of mercy (helping the hungry/thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming strangers, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and helping those dealing with death) are a great place to start. I bet that there are opportunities to do some or all of them through your parish, so jump in. You and others will be glad you did. Another good seed is regular, intentional, prayer for others’ well-being, in general or with regard to specific needs. Praying for folks in your parish, your school/work place, your neighborhood, folks you hear about in the news will give them blessing and you peace. (A hint about this kind prayer: it works best when it’s not advertised. See Matthew 6:5-8).
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