January 26, 2018

Gospel: Mk 4:26-34 (or Lk 10:1-9)
Jesus also said, “In the kingdom of God it is like this: a man scatters seed upon the soil. Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night, the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The soil produces of itself; first, the blade; then, the ear; then the full grain in the ear. And when it is ripe for harvesting, they take the sickle for the cutting: the time for the harvest has come.” Jesus also said, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it? It is like a mustard seed which, when sown, is the smallest of all the seeds scattered upon the soil. But once sown, it grows up and becomes the largest of the plants in the garden; and even grows branches so big, that the birds of the air can take shelter in its shade.” Jesus used many such stories, in order to proclaim the word to them in a way that they would be able to understand. He would not teach them without parables; but privately, to his disciples, he explained everything.

Reflections
RIPE FOR HARVESTING
Whenever we go to the wake of an acquaintance, we cannot help but think of our own mortality. We know that all of us will die but somehow we shelve the thought of our own death and we go on with our everyday preoccupations as if it were not coming. But when we are informed of the death of someone even younger than us, maybe, we are forced to face our own reality. Today’s Gospel speaks of death as being “ripe for the harvest”. When we hear of 30-yearold people dying of a stroke, we shake our heads and say they are too young to die. But maybe in God’s time they are ripe for the harvest. Actually, the important thing is not to live a long life but to live it fully. Every moment of life is precious and we have no right to it. So when we get up in the morning, aren’t we pleasantly surprised and feel totally grateful that we have awaken to a new day of life? We can imagine how even more grateful people are who have survived an accident, or got healed of a terminal disease. They feel they have a new lease in life and they make a resolution to make most of the days that they have been suddenly gifted with. And maybe they become more generous, more compassionate, more forgiving, more appreciative of the goodness of people and of the beauty of nature around them. God of the living, we thank you for life and for good health. Help us to spend these days in the service of our neighbors and when we are ripe for the harvest, help us to surrender our lives to you in joy. Amen.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018