Parables of the seed

Today's Reflections

Parables of the seed 

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Mk 4:26-34

²⁶[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 ²⁷and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. ²⁸Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. ²⁹And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

³⁰He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? ³¹It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. ³²But 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.” ³³With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. ³⁴Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Reflection:
 

It springs up and becomes the largest of plants. The Gospel contains two parables: the scattered seed growing of itself (vv 26-29) and the mustard seed (vv 30-32). What is common between the two? Both parables speak of small and insignificant seeds. But when they sprout and grow, these smallest of seeds become the largest of plants. 

The parables tell us at least two things.

First. Big things come from small beginnings. The insignificant can become important; the ordinary can become special. Even if we are small or insignificant, we are valuable in God’s eyes. As the Psalmist wonders, “When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place—what are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them?” (Ps 8:4-5). Whatever we have, no matter how ordinary, we can give to contribute a lot. Whatever we are, unskilled or average, we can use to make a difference. In God’s eyes no one is unnoticed or forgotten; everyone is special and important.

Second. Growth, change, or improvement is a law of life. We cannot remain where we are, passive or stagnant; not to progress or go forward is to regress or move backward. We can grow and glow. We can achieve and improve. We should neither resign to our condition nor rely on luck. We can be better, and we can give our best.

God never leaves us or gives up on us. He gives everything we need to move forward in life and grow in God’s grace. God even moves people to help us. God always gives us fresh hope, another chance, and new opportunities so that we can grow and renew our lives.

“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me” (Phil 4:13). Do you have Paul’s conviction about God’s presence and power in you?