The gospel for today is from Mark 4:26-34. It tells us about the parable of the mustard seed. Jesus uses parable at times when he needs the people to understand what He would like of us. In these parables, He tells us how we should live as Christians. He never stops reminding us that He loves us and He wants us to be with Him in heaven when time comes.

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

26 He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the land.

27 Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know.

28 Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

29 And when the crop is ready, at once he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’

30 He also said, ‘What can we say that the kingdom is like? What parable can we find for it?

31 It is like a mustard seed which, at the time of its sowing, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth.

32 Yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’

33 Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it.

34 He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were by themselves.

Reflection:

We are like seeds scattered in the earth. So then, the Kingdom of God does not come for us all at once. With constant nurturing day and night, the tiny seeds grow little by little. We can’t imagine that from the tiny seed we are, we grow huge and sturdy. From the tiniest seed planted in a soul, the Kingdom of Heaven will grow. With God’s providence and nourishment only the branches will grow and shade others. To understand the gospel in Mark 4:26-34 means to understand the teachings of Jesus.

Like a seed buried in the snow, we grow and as we grow we become like a sequoia, tall, strong and sturdy. All things we see are gifts from heaven and even our lives are the greatest gift ever. We must never waste any moment of our precious life. The Kingdom of God is among us. God is the Father that nourishes us to grow strong.

Let us try to compare ourselves with what we have today. The pandemic is still going on. Our task is to sow seeds as well and nourish them so they also will grow like us. It is our task to spread the word of God and imitate His good deeds. We have to take good care of each other. We must not forget to help our fellowmen in our own little ways. This is what the gospel in Mark 4:26-34 is telling us. – Clea | Helpline PH