Praise be to Jesus Christ!

 

Let us greet our neighbors as we find out who is next to us and how they are doing.  Make sure you look at their eyes and say: “Praise to Jesus.”  

 

How was your week?  

The weather is sunny and warm.  Summer has finally come to Alaska.  Let us enjoy the weather and rejuvenate our selves.  We pray to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to bless us.  

 

Today’s gospel is Mark 4:26-34.  Jesus through a parable teaches us about the kingdom of God.  God’s kingdom is like a seed, which also symbolizes our faith.  This story teaches us a few key points.  

 

Firstly, it is the mystery of growth.  When seeds are planted, it would grow day and night, but we don’t know why or how.  This mystery is part of God’s control; through his divine province and protection the growth is possible.  Our faith is the same.  The faith, a seed that has been planted in our hearts is also under God’s province and as such it grows.  Thus, we must pray in order to be closer to Him and to rely on Him completely.  

 

Secondly, a seed is small and insignificant.  Compared to a flower or a fruit, a seed seem small and fragile.  When it is buried you cannot even see it.  But it discloses it self through fruits or flower.  Faith is the same way.  Jesus’ passion and death in the Bible seem small and insignificant.  It almost looks like a failure.  But through his death, God’s power and glory are revealed.  Our faith also at times seems insignificant.  Thus, we need time to overcome apparent challenges and failures.  

 

Thirdly, a seed sprouts and grows.  It starts with a blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.   And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.  Faith is also the same way.  After baptism, you attend mass while you join a small group and volunteer.  Through prayers and education, you begin to grow.  You need not be anxious even if your faith is slow to grow.  The ultimate goal is not to lose sight of God’s kingdom.  

 

Today’s gospel, a parable of a mustard seed, gives us hope.  God’s kingdom is like a mustard seed.  It is the smallest seed we can find; when it grows it becomes the largest of plants so that even the birds can dwell in its shade.  Our faith is like a mustard seed; sometimes we experience failure and it seems quite fragile.  But through the hope of resurrection, I hope we will continue to grow our faith toward God’s kingdom.  

 

Let us meditate for a moment.