the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how. The soil produces of itself: first the blade,
then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when it is ripe for harvesting, they take the
sickle for the cutting: the time for the harvest has come.” Jesus also said, “What is the
kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it? It is like a mustard seed which, when
sown, is the smallest of all the seeds scattered upon the soil. But once sown, it grows up
and becomes the largest of the plants in the garden, and even grows branches so big, that
the birds of the air can take shelter in its shade.” Jesus used many such stories, in order to
proclaim the word to them in a way that they would be able to understand. He would not
teach them without parables; but privately to his disciples he explained everything.
READ: Jesus continued telling parables. The first parable tells of a man who scatters seed
upon the soil wherein the seed itself sprouts and grows without the knowledge of the man
who scatters the seed. The seed turns into a full grain ready for the harvest. There is another
parable, one that tells of the mustard seed. This parable tells that the kingdom of God is like
a mustard seed which is the smallest of all seeds but when sown may become the largest of
the plants in the garden. The grown mustard seed can have branches in which shade the
birds may take shelter.
REFLECT: God’s kingdom is mysterious. It cannot be understood in full. As a mystery,
it keeps unfolding and it will require an openness on our part. This implies that while we are
called to participate in the realization of the kingdom of God, it is God who will fully establish
his kingdom in the end. The full realization of God’s kingdom is a gift to be received. It can
even be received by those who, at first, did not want to participate but eventually did so. In
the parable of the sower, the birds threatened the existence of the seeds (cf. Mk. 4:4). Yet,
the birds would also benefit from the shade which the grown mustard seed provides.
PRAY: We pray that God may grant us the grace to be open as his kingdom unfolds in our life.
ACT: Let us make a concrete gesture showing that we accept somebody whom we have
difficulty accepting.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2024
