In today’s Gospel Jesus tells stories or parables. The first one is the Parable of the Sower, and the second one is the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Jesus begins by telling us that these two parables describe the Kingdom of God. Jesus has already announced this message in his first public proclamation and now he begins to teach us what the Kingdom is like:
“After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: ‘This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” (Mark 1:14-15).
“This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land…” (Mark 4:26)
“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…” (Mark 4:30-31)
The Kingdom of God is present when God’s will is done. We see the Kingdom in Jesus’ ministry of welcoming all, saints and sinners, and even eating with them. We see the Kingdom in Jesus’ ministry of healing and forgiveness.
While Jesus gathered a following, they tended to be fickle and always wanted to see another sign or miracle. Jesus even needed to challenge or criticized the Twelve for their lack of faith: “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). So, in some ways, at least to outsiders, Jesus’ ministry might seem to be a failure. His two parables in today’s Gospel respond to that view and show us Jesus’ great faith and assurance that the Kingdom of God is indeed at hand even though it is hard to see. Jesus tells us it might seem to be very tiny like a “mustard seed”, but he assures us that it is growing in our midst. Jesus ministerial approach is to be generous even seemingly wasteful or prodigal going out to all sorts of people, saints and sinners. Jesus tells us he is like the Sower who sows the seed of God’s love, mercy, and compassion here there and everywhere. Who knows where it might take root and grow. Jesus was by no means a failure by God’s standards since he did his Father’s will. This seed of God’s faith, mercy, and love and been sowed in each of us. Let us cherish this seed of faith and nourish it so that it may grow and blossom forth. The Kingdom of God is at hand!
Image: “The Parable of the Mustard Seed” by docoverachiever is licensed under CC BY 2.0.