Silent but All-powerful!
11th sunday in ordinary time, Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34
Introduction
It sometimes happens that we do not see how God is at work in our daily life, and because of the many trials, we often get discouraged. This Sunday, we are given a beautiful image of God’s powerful assurance of His love and protection and his presence in our daily lives. Today’s readings remind us that God is our refuge, our fortress and our help in times of troubles. Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 encourages us to live by faith and not by sight. Such a life makes us responsible people because we are accountable for all our actions. We should all long for our eternal life with God.
God is of might and restoration
In the first reading, Ezekiel is one of the four major prophets, called by God to be a spiritual guide for his people in exile. Here Ezekiel conveys a message of hope. In his message, he speaks of trees and birds, the trees represent the nation while the birds represent the peoples. As an exiled people, Israel was like a felled tree doomed to disappear. But God will make it live again because he is the all-powerful God who gives restoration from any deadly situation.
God’s hidden presence
Inspired by his ordinary life, Jesus gives us two parables in today’s gospel. For Jesus, God is at work in our daily lives and activities. Those daily activities have meaning and construct our relationship with God. Our daily endeavors can open our eyes to the mystery of God. So, we simply need to have attentive ears, hearts and eyes, to be able
“to seek and find God in all things.”
St. Theresa of Avila said: “growth of a spiritual seed within us requires prayers and meditation. Let us be sowers of the seed”
God is doing something good with your life
By comparing the kingdom of God with the tiniest seed or the mustard seed, Jesus would like us to realize that God’s presence dwells in our hearts and is at the heart of things in the world. Just as the tiny mustard seed, while cast upon the ground, grows until becoming the tallest tree (cf. Mk 4:31-32), so does the power of God grow in our lives without us noticing. The clamor of the world and our busy daily schedule prevent us from stopping and seeing how the Lord is conducting history. Yet – the Gospel assures us – God is at work, like a good little seed that silently and slowly. God always works in a humble, hidden, and often invisible way.
Confidence in the Lord
By telling us these parables, Jesus' aim is to build up confidence in us. We should not allow ourselves to be paralyzed by doubt when we find we are working hard but the results are not achieved or when things seem never to change. The result of sowing does not depend on our abilities but on the action of God. It is up to us to sow, and sow with love, with dedication and with patience. The farmer sows the seed and then does not realize how it bears fruit. The seed grows spontaneously, day and night, even when the farmer least expects it (cf. vv. 26-29). With God, dear friends, even in the most infertile soil there is always the hope of new sprouts.
May Mary Most Holy, the Lord’s humble handmaid, teach us to see the greatness of God who works in the little things and to overcome the temptation of discouragement!
Jesus I trust in you every day!
Have a blessed week
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC