REFLECTION FOR TODAY
June 13, 2021
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
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.” Mk. 4:26-27
Our gospel reference forms part of the two parables Jesus gave up in the gospel reading today. The parables of the mustard seed and the parable of the secret growth of the seed which stresses the vitality of the seed. In these parables, Jesus speaks about the kingdom of God.
The seed is the word of God, the divine life. The growth of the divine life in our souls cannot be easily observed. The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed. Despite the chaos, the evil and violation of the laws of God in our world today, God’s law works quietly and inevitably in all things.
As we sow, we reap, for good or for bad, for happiness or for unhappiness, for love or for hatred, for salvation or for damnation, in accordance with the law of God that governs all. Growth of the divine life in us requires time just as the seed is put in the soil requires time to grow.
The word of God like the seed has the inner power to grow. What is important is that we must sow the seed. What is important is that we must preach the word of God. We must preach the word of God in all its purity, without any mixture of error. The word of God must be faithfully, fully, plainly, and openly spoken. Are we ready to preach the word of God today as required by us?
The gospel reference today especially reveals to us “how” the kingdom of God will happen. It reveals that God’s Kingdom will slowly, gently, and miraculously take hold. This will happen in our lives, it will happen in our world as we Christians commit ourselves to this work, and it will miraculously happen at the end of time when Jesus returns.
Reflect, today, upon the mysterious ways that God establishes His Kingdom. He oversees it first and foremost. But you must do your part. You must make your heart and world around you a fertile ground. You must plant the seed, water it as needed but then let God do His part. God wants to bring forth His Kingdom in your life and in the world far more than any of us. But if you do your part, you also will be amazed as you watch grow His glorious handiwork of grace.
Lord, help my heart to be fertile soil for Your Kingdom. Help me to allow You to grow Your Kingdom in my heart and help me to be an instrument of that Kingdom in our world. Jesus, I trust in You.