Sunday Homily – 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
✠ Peace and Joy of Jesus be with you, Dear Reader
Hearty Welcome to this blog. We are on the 11th Sunday in ordinary time dated on 16th June 2024. Through this article We will get to know what God wants from us this week.
Table of Contents
Summary of the Readings
First Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24
In the first reading, we see a promise of hope and restoration as God plants a tender shoot that will grow into a majestic cedar, providing shelter and sustenance to many creatures.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
In the second reading, Paul reminds us to live by faith, not by sight, and to aim to please the Lord in all we do, knowing that we will all appear before Christ’s judgment seat.
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34
The Gospel reading presents two parables that illustrate the mysterious and inevitable growth of God’s kingdom: the parable of the growing seed and the parable of the mustard seed.
Homily
Today’s readings offer us profound insights into the nature of God’s kingdom and our role within it.
Today’s readings bring us a message of hope, patience, and the unstoppable progress of God’s kingdom. In the Gospel of Mark, we hear two short but powerful parables that reveal the nature of God’s reign on earth. Jesus uses these simple stories to help us understand profound spiritual truths.
In the first parable, we learn about the helplessness of man. The farmer scatters seed on the ground, but it is God who makes it grow. The farmer does not understand how the seed sprouts and grows, but he trusts in the natural process. This illustrates that the kingdom of God is ultimately God’s work, not ours. We cannot create it; we can only participate in it. Our role is to scatter the seeds of faith, love, and justice, trusting that God will bring about the growth in His time and way.
The second parable, the mustard seed, emphasizes the seemingly insignificant beginnings of the kingdom. The mustard seed, though the smallest of all seeds, grows into a large shrub where birds can find shelter. This teaches us never to be daunted by small beginnings. Even the smallest act of kindness, the tiniest seed of faith, can grow into something great and transformative. The kingdom of God may start small, but its growth is constant, inevitable, and powerful.
The First Reading from Ezekiel echoes this theme of growth and transformation. God promises to take a tender shoot and plant it on a high mountain, where it will grow into a majestic cedar. This tree will provide shelter for many creatures, symbolizing the inclusive and nurturing nature of God’s kingdom. It is a vision of hope and restoration, reminding us that God is always at work, bringing life and renewal even in the most barren places.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul encourages us to live by faith and not by sight. This means trusting in God’s promises even when we cannot see the immediate results. Our lives are to be lived with a focus on pleasing the Lord, knowing that our ultimate goal is to be with Him. This perspective helps us to be patient and hopeful, even when progress seems slow or imperceptible.
Applications for Life:
Trust in God’s Timing: Like the farmer in the parable, we must trust that God is at work even when we cannot see it. We should remain faithful in our efforts, knowing that God will bring about growth in His time.
Embrace Small Beginnings: Do not underestimate the power of small acts of kindness and faith. Every little seed we plant in our relationships, communities, and the world can grow into something much larger than we can imagine.
Live by Faith: Keep your eyes on Jesus and live to please Him. When challenges arise, remember that our faith journey is not about seeing immediate results but trusting in God’s ultimate plan.
Hope and Patience: In a world that often seems chaotic and disheartening, hold onto the hope that God’s kingdom is growing. Be patient, knowing that God’s purposes are unfolding, even if we cannot always perceive them.
Prepare for the Harvest: Reflect on how you are living your life. Are you ready for the time when God’s kingdom is fully realized? Use this time to grow in faith, love, and service.
Let us go forth today, inspired by these readings, to scatter seeds of faith and love, trusting that God will nurture them into something beautiful and transformative. Amen
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