June 17, 2018

Gospel: Mk 4:26-34
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.

Lectio Divina
Read: Ezekiel prophesies how God will raise up the weak and the insignificant and make them fruitful. Our mission is to do what pleases God and God alone. The Kingdom of God works mysteriously and incrementally only to become the anchor for the entire life on earth.
Reflect: The Kingdom is not the result of human enterprise; it is God’s handiwork. None of our efforts can actually produce the Kingdom; rather, it is the invisible, mysterious unfolding of God’s plan in His time, which will incrementally and eventually grow into its promised fullness. Our task is to be grateful witnesses and let the Kingdom unfold in and through us, though not necessarily by us.
Pray: God, may your Kingdom come!
Act: Recite the Lord’s Prayer meditatively.

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