In his first parable, Jesus employs the imagery of seeds scattered on the field by a farmer.

He recounts to them the familiar process of farming which is familiar to them.

There is an observable order as things unfold in the farm. Nothing happens by chance, and the mysterious hands of God are at work throughout the whole process.

The second parable emphasizes the tiny size of the mustard seed. It is almost invisible to the eye yet it holds great potential.

It can grow to be the largest among all other variety of shrubs, and its wide branches can hold the nests of birds.

The beginnings of God’s Kingdom can be found everywhere and among different people. The twin parables are Jesus’ way of assuring us that in God’s own time, life springs forth and growth happens.

Where we see signs contrary to God’s Kingdom, his power will certainly be made manifest.

And God’s Kingdom moves forward with the cooperation of his ordinary workers, in their simple, almost imperceptible, ways guided by God’s power and wisdom.

Gospel • Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: “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. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.

Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.