杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

杏MAP导航 Francis reflected on the two parables regarding the 鈥�Kingdom of God and its dynamic growth鈥� from the Sunday Gospel (Mark 4:26-34) before reciting the Angelus on Sunday before thousands gathered in St Peter's Square.

The Kingdom grows by its own power

Jesus uses the first parable (Mark 26-29) to compare the Kingdom of God to 鈥渢he mysterious growth of a seed鈥� which is sown, sprouts, grows and produces grain 鈥渋ndependent of the care of the farmer鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said. The message is that the kingdom of God has 鈥渆rupted on the field of the world鈥�, through Jesus鈥� preaching and action. The Kingdom grows and develops not as a work of human labor but 鈥渙f its own power, and according to criteria that are humanly speaking indecipherable鈥�. [It] is above all an expression of the power and the goodness of God鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis said.

The Kingdom grows mysteriously

When human history seems to develop contrary to the will of God, the 杏MAP导航 said that 鈥渨e are called to live this period as a season of trial, of hope and in vigilant waiting for the harvest鈥�. The Kingdom grows mysteriously; its power is hidden in a small seed that is filled with 鈥渧ictorious vitality鈥�. When times are dark, we need to trust in 鈥淕od鈥檚 quiet but powerful action,鈥� and 鈥渞emain anchored in God鈥檚 faithfulness, in his presence which always saves鈥�, he said.

The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed

The meaning of this parable is 鈥渢he logic God鈥檚 unpredictability鈥� which is not easy for us to accept. Jesus invites us to a faith that exceeds calculation and forecasts. 鈥淚t is an invitation to open ourselves with greater generosity to God鈥檚 plans over our own personal 鈥� plans鈥�.  The Lord offers us occasions 鈥渢o be involved in his dynamics of love, of welcoming, and of mercy toward all鈥�. It is up to us to be aware of those opportunities.

The 杏MAP导航 concluded his reflection saying that 鈥渃ourageously moving forward in trust and humble abandonment in God鈥� is the means by which we can judge the 鈥渁uthenticity of the mission of the Church鈥�. Placing ourselves in God鈥檚 hands, aware of 鈥渂eing small and weak instruments鈥�, we can accomplish great works鈥� and allow 鈥渉is Kingdom 鈥攁 kingdom of justice, peace and joy in the Spirit鈥攖o progress鈥�.