WE ARE FULL OF CONFIDENCE

XI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Mark 4:26-34

When speaking to people, Jesus used simple language, that was easy to understand: “he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it.” This was the main reason for him to use parables. We are presented with two very simple parables in this Sunday’s gospel. The kingdom of God is like throwing a seed on the ground. And the parable stresses two moments: the sowing and the growing. The role of the sower is paramount. Nothing will take place without the action of casting the seed. The preacher must preach the Gospel “in season and out of season” (2 Tm 4:2). Then, leave it to God, According to the parable, the seed will sprout and grow until “the full grain in the ear”. At that point, the harvest will be ordered and the grain will be collected.

In the second parable, the Kingdom of God is compared to a mustard seed, a small seed that grows to become a tree “so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade”. The beginning is humble but the results are extraordinary, due to the power of God. We get discouraged many times as if we are working in vain. However, we should do our part and leave the rest to God.

In the second reading, Paul advises us to be confident, and put our trust in God. Here, on earth, we live in exile and feel the hardships this world brings. While here on earth, we should strive to please Him until the day we will stand before Him to receive the promised reward.

The just will flourish like the palm tree

  and grow like a Lebanon cedar.

Planted in the house of the Lord

  they will flourish in the courts of our God,

still bearing fruit when they are old,

  still full of sap, still green,

to proclaim that the Lord is just.

  In him, my rock, there is no wrong.

Psalm 92