Two parables are presented by Jesus today in the Gospel of Mark. Both are presenting what the kingdom of God is like. The first presents a man who sows seeds, and the second is a mustard seed that is planted. In both cases, the seeds germinate, sprout, go through the process of growth, and become mature plants. The kingdom of God is like these plants in that God works through the smallest of and many times, unnoticed beginnings. Also, God’s timing is not our timing. In our rapid-paced world of instant access, we would do well to slow down.
God not only begins small, and on his own timetable, but he often works beyond the realm of our awareness. This is evident in the first parable offered by Jesus: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how” (Mk 4:26-27). This is not to say that God has set everything in motion and is indifferent or despondent to his creation. Quite the opposite.
God has a plan. He has been and continues to be intimately engaged in guiding his creation and in each of our lives as well. He revealed this truth to Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you” (Jeremiah 1:5). God is present, invites us to be in relationship, and once we accept, seeks for our relationship to grow. Like the farmer in the first parable, “I have planted seeds but don’t see anything happening.” But slowly, a sprout emerges, a stalk rises, and a bud forms. We too may make an attempt at prayer and feel nothing is happening. If we intentionally make time to be with God, something is happening.
God has no need for us, and yet he has loved us into existence for our good. He invites us to know him and to participate in the spreading of his kingdom. Just think of someone who you have, for the longest time, wanted to meet. If the opportunity arose to spend time with that person, how excited would you be? How much more so if they also did not want to just meet but spend more time with you, with the intention of forming a relationship! We have the opportunity to do so with the Creator of all that exists, and not just today, or tomorrow, but for all of eternity.
God has created us to know, love, and to serve him. He invites us to be in communion with him, and to participate in his work of salvation history in simple and subtle ways. Are we aware of his invitation, are we willing to watch and pray? Are we willing to place ourselves in a posture to receive his word as well as his silence? Just as an acorn that is sown matures and grows over time into the mightiest of oaks, so may our relationship with our Loving God and Father also grow and mature that we become one with him in this life and into the next for eternity.
Photo: May we mature and flourish like these cabbage palms that even withstood the tornados of Milton.
Spiritual Stepping Stones 