Brothers and Sisters:
The works of God always start small, are likely to be overlooked and even scorned and therefore the person must have a great desire for knowing Jesus Christ and great patience.
The first parable we hear today from Mark (4: 26-29) tells about the seed growing by itself. It is a contrast of the inactivity of the farmer and the fulfillment of the Kingdom. The kingdom doesn’t come about abruptly. It grows inexorably from very hidden beginnings. There is no need for an intervention by Jesus Christ.
Mark is the only one who says how it grows and this is essential to the parable. He says while the farmer was sleeping the seed would sprout and grow and the man knew not how. Of its own accord there would first be a blade, then an ear and then the full grain. Which stage are you in regards to your relationship with God? Hopefully many the blade of the plant has come through the ground and is starting to grow. However, it must be watered, nourished, fertilized in order to grow, especially in the summer. There are some hot days coming soon and this small blade will need water.
Jesus then compares the Kingdom to a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds; actually the orchid seed is the smallest but it does not matter. The point is that something very small, almost imperceptible, insignificant will grow into an unexpected full grown tree or bush of ten or twelve feet. It is not a magnificent cedar tree but a large bush that will give a lot of shade, puts forth large branches and birds of every type will come to it and rest.
It is an image of the Church, and of Jesus Christ. People were unaware of him, took no notice, he had no education or standing, and yet when he was bruised the seed opened up and grew into a very large bush. It is an image of God’s rule, which is universal and open to everyone. The seed has an intrinsic power of its own. It does not need us to grow; there is something inside it that makes it grow despite us.
Our job is to throw the seed and the rest in done by God. When the grain is ripe, the worker comes with the sickle to collect the harvest. What the worker does is very minimal. He sleeps and the seed grows, and he knows not how. Yet God needs the farmer to throw the seed. What does that mean? I think it means to speak of Christ, to announce the gospel. To not be afraid to spend time with people and get to know them. It can be a simple invitation or to give your experience of what God is doing or starting to do for you. Tell them why you go to church: it refocuses me and gives me peace. The simpler the better.
The only other thing the farmer does is to know the right time to harvest. He knows the right time to speak. The seed will grow no matter what. It is not something we can make grow or produce. It is a work that God is doing through us.
Don’t fall into the blame game with others in our families and among friends. This is what most people do. Better when someone disappoints you to consider a few positive reasons and why this might have happened. Cut off right away the blaming which we can do automatically. Give them the benefit of the doubt and go to them to explain that you noticed they were not themselves, or you were not sure why they made a comment, or if they had something on their mind. When you go without blame it is a different conversation.
Brothers and sisters, the Kingdom will grow in us, among us and it changes us. We become a bit more like Christ. God is saying: think small, concentrate your efforts in one direction and do not look around and compare yourself to others. Be persistent, and desire nothing but what God has given you no matter how humble it may appear. Be patient and have a great desire for a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The gospel speaks a lot to me since we have been planting seeds for many years at St. Joe’s. And even with this large renovation we are starting a work that God willing will bring many back to the church. After a life time of modest effort you will become a paradise where many can dwell, and you will be a refuge from the world. This will be your greatest reward! The harvest will be great, huge, something we could not have imagined.
The Church is crumbling in many countries: in Ireland, and in many places around us. But hopefully here, brothers and sisters, you will see that the smallest of seeds will grow to be a beautiful tree. We all have a part to play in this great drama of God’s love for us!