The Catholic Calendar for Friday, January 27, 2006
The Third Week in Ordinary Time
St. Angela Merici, virgin

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Samuel 11:1-10, 13-17
Psalm 51:3-7, 10-11
Mark 4:26-34

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

"...the kingdom of God ...is as a man [scattering] seed... and it would sprout and grow, he knows not how." (see Mark 4:26-27)

Jesus in today's Gospel describes the kingdom of God in agricultural terms familiar to His listeners. The seed represents the word of God growing in response to that God-given, mysterious and indescribable life force residing within it. A fuller meaning of Christ's message in this reading becomes evident if we recall His parable recorded in Matthew 9:1 thru 13 about a sower -- God -- scattering seed indiscriminately over all the ground. The successful growth of the seeds depends on the condition of the soil on which it lands. Some soil will be well-prepared to receive and nourish the seed whereas other ground will impair its growth because of its being hard, rocky, weed infested or exposed to spoilers. In summary, we are the soil upon which God casts His seed; but we will only yield fruit if we remain unaffected by this world's resistance toward God's way.

Christ then describes how the tiniest of seeds can grow vastly to provide a home and safe haven for many. What good will residing in God's kingdom and our guiding others to His shelter do? We will all still be prone in this sinful world to being hurt by people and conditions. However, being in Christ and aided by His Holy Spirit who imbues us with His truth and love, we will be enabled, by His grace, to bear heartaches and hardships and not become hardened, angry or bitter. Those abiding in God's kingdom and generously sharing its blessings will ultimately have victory over this world and gain His eternal life.

Most generous Lord, do all in us that will promote our bringing forth much fruit, that we may aid this spiritually starved world to be healed and reborn in Your new life. Amen

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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