January 28, 2005 - Friday, 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

The Kingdom Grows Quietly

Readings:
Heb 10:32-39;  Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40; 
Mk 4:26-34

Opening Prayer

Patient God,
curb our impatience when we try to impose
your truth and justice and peace
on a world and even a Church
not yet disposed to welcome them.
In our helplessness and discouragement
may we come to accept
that all true growth comes from you.
We can only plant the seed:
make it bloom into a mighty tree that shelters many.
 We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction
     We hear for the first time that the “Hebrews” for whom this letter was destined had to undergo persecution and various difficulties for following Christ. The author encourages them vividly to persevere in their faith, for God is faithful to his promises.

First Reading: Heb 10:32-39

Remember the first days when you were enlightened. You had to undergo a hard struggle in the face of suffering. Publicly you were exposed to humiliations and trials, and had to share the sufferings of others who were similarly treated. You showed solidarity with those in prison; you were dispossessed of your goods and accepted it gladly for you knew you were acquiring a much better and more durable possession. Do not now throw away your confidence that will be handsomely rewarded. Be patient in doing the will of God, and the promise will be yours: A little, a little longer-says Scripture-and he who is coming will come; he will not delay. My righteous one will live if he believes; but if he distrusts, I will no longer look kindly on him.

We are not among those who withdraw and perish, but among those who believe and win personal salvation.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40

R (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart(s requests.
R The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.
R The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Gospel Introduction
     The kingdom of God does not irrupt in our human world with extraordinary signs and power. It is a patient, modest growth, beginning with a tiny seed in the personal salvation history of every person, in the salvation history of humankind. It is constantly threatened by sin, which is the refusal to grow.

Gospel Reading: Mk 4:26-34

Jesus 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 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 or parables, to proclaim the word to them in a way they would be able to understand. He would not teach them without parables; but privately to his disciples he explained everything.

Commentary

JESUS paints another scene: a man scattering seed on soil and once it's sown, whether he sleeps or watches it, it sprouts and grows until ripe for the harvest. Or a mustard seed, so tiny yet it grows into a weed, a bush with branches that supports the birds of the air, giving them shelter. These are parables, stories with a twist that Jesus uses to teach his disciples what he is doing in the world and what they are to do in time. This Word that is both message and the person of Jesus is potent, far-ranging in power and effect, and it becomes something that nurtures others and protects and shelters the small of the earth-the doves, pigeons, blackbirds, the majority of birds that most would think of as a nuisance or expendable.

Thomas Aquinas, known for his wisdom and intelligence saw himself as a 'dumb ox'. He wrote theology and treaties on God but knew that nothing he could say would compare to Jesus' stories, presence and person who transformed those who were in misery to people of hope, as the children of God. What are our words and lives saying to the most desperate of the earth?

General Intercessions

–    That the tiny spark of faith still alive in the hearts of many who abandon the Church may not be extinguished but grow again onto a bright light renewing their life, we pray:

–   That our schools may implant into the hearts of our youth the seeds of faith, of generous and serving love, and that the Lord may bless the educators in their tremendous task, we pray:

–   That missionaries may keep sowing the seed of the joyful Good News  of the Lord in our often indifferent and hostile world, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Almighty and patient God,
we bring before you the fruits
grown from tiny seeds of wheat
and the small shoots of the vine.
By the power of your Spirit
they will become Jesus among us.
Let the seed of his life and message
bear fruit among us, your people,
and make us the body of Christ to the world,
that trust and hope may grow among all.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

God our Father,
with your generous hand you have sown
among us here in this eucharist
the seed of all that is good and true,
your Son Jesus Christ.
However insignificant and disappointing
our faith and love may seem now,
give us the hope and the courage
that he can unite us into a community
where truth and justice and freedom will prevail,
until the crop is ready for the reaping
in your own good time.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Patience and a sense of humble modesty are needed when we do God’s work. He sows, he plants, and he gives growth. He will do the harvesting. But he expects us to cooperate with him. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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