Sunday, June 17, 2012

11th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) – Parables of the Seed (Mk 4:26-34)


Gradual…. but sure…..


Introduction
-          We live in a world with ‘speed’ and ‘special effects’.
o   We live in a world of ‘speed’. We love speed in doing things and getting things done. For example we go for fast food, for travel we prefer the plane, for correspondence we depend on e-mail, for picture taking we use digital camera where the picture is instant.
o   We live in a world with ‘special effects’. The media has created in our mind special music and sound effects for different occasions. If we watch a horror movie without sound effects, we will not feel like we are watching the movie and we never get excited. We prefer to go for 3D movies with good sound system.
-          We sometimes apply these two things in our spiritual life.
o   We need fast spiritual growth.
o   We also look forward the intervention of God in a supernatural way as we see in the movies. When we feel that noting is working, we get disappointed and sometimes loose our faith.
-          Does God do the things in a sensational way as we see in the television and movies?
o   I KG 19 – the story of Prophet Elijah. He expected God in thunder, storm, fire and earth quack. But he could not listen to the His voice. At last he heard him in a simple breeze.
o   God does not do the things as we expect, but He has His own way and phase.
-          Today’s gospel corrects our vision on God and His blessings by showing the example of a seed and its growth.

Content
-          The first lesson that God teaches us through today’s gospel is:
o   God’s intervention is gradual and sure.
§  Gradual – look at the example of a seed. It takes its own time to grow and produce the fruit, provided it has the conducive atmosphere for growth. The growth is so calm, without any special effects as of the Hollywood movie.
§  Sure – if the seed is planted in a suitable situation, it is sure that, it would grow and bear fruit. The farmer may sleep and even forget about the seed. But the seed grows in to a plant and fulfills its purpose. The farmer should have the patience to wait.
-          The second lesson is
o   Do your duty and be patient
§  Our duty is to plant the seed and protect it from those elements that may destroy it.
·         The farmer has to protect the seed from ants and other pesticides in order to make it productive.
§  Be patient to see the glory of God
·         Wait in the state of grace. We will stay in the state of grace when we keep the commandments of God.
·         Be in the awareness that Holy Spirit is living within me.

Conclusion
-          God has sawed seed in our heart through baptism, the Holy Spirit. To see the growth of that divine seed we have to do our duty and wait in state of grace.
-          We are called to saw the seeds of goodness among others and in the society. We may not find immediate result of our deeds. But if our works are according to gospel values, with pure intentions, there will be fruits. Remember that the grow will be ‘gradual’ but sure.

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