SERMON/HOMILY OF 11TH WEEK SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: OUR TIMELINE IS NOT GOD’S TIMELINE: BELIEVE IN THE PROCESS
BY: Fr Peter Gabriel Okon
Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34
The Ordinary time, is the longest season covering about 34 Sundays a year. Within this period, the liturgical readings avails us the opportunity to go through the various paths that makes for the growth of the Kingdom of God in our hearts by way of the teachings of Jesus mostly captured in his parables. Today, the 11th Sunday, Our Lord using two parables in quick successions, seeks to bring to the fore the dynamics and workings of the Kingdom of God. Interestingly both parables centres on seed, a common example.
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In the first parable, Jesus draws our attention to the mysteries of His kingdom. The growth of the Kingdom of God in our hearts and lives hinges on God first. Just as the farmer sows the seed in the ground and goes to sleep at night, how the seed germinates is a mystery to him. If we too sow the right seed from the onset, then God will surely grant the increase. The seed here is the fundamental option for God we make at our baptism, where we choose to reject Satan and his empty promises and pay allegiance to God. Even though we might not be perfect in keeping our promises, God continues to nurture us in love, because of the seed and His merciful love.
The second parable, contrasts the tiny mustard seed to the big shrub that grows from it. Despite the very little beginnings, if we remain resolute and committed to the right course, then we will be shocked by the outcome.
Goodness and evil are both seeds and each has the capacity when nurtured to be become a “big tree”. There is a saying that goes thus, “what you continuously feed, grows” . In the Gospel today, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed, known to be one of the tiniest of seeds, yet grows to become a big tree. All that is needed to inherit the Kingdom of God is to plant that little seed of goodness. It might look to be a joke, a jest or unpayable adventure from the start, but do not relent, God will grant the increase. He is concerned with the intention, the yearnings of our heart, because all our efforts are imperfect.
Jesus’ parable today, reminds one of the story of the Chinese bamboo tree. Experts consider the Chinese bamboo seed to be one of the strangest seeds in the world. When planted, it stays underneath the soil for as long as five years before sprouting. Within these five years, the farmer will have to water it daily. Imagine, spending good five years watering a given seed. Now the sweet side of the story is that once it germinates, it grows to about 80-90 feet tall in six weeks or less. What happened? It is said that, within the first five years, the Chinese bamboo seed is busy developing a formidable and elaborate root system, which gives it the boost to grow rapidly once it germinates.
Dearly beloved, the growth of the Kingdom of God in our lives, is not a function of activism or propaganda. It might take so much time that we begin to doubt the grace of our own baptism. The story of the bamboo tree can help us. While waiting, let us continue to develop an elaborate root system through prayers and practical faith. The growth is happening even though silently, the result will definitely be visible, only should we remain faithful to the end.
We need patience, we need to believe in the process, we need to work according to God’s timeline. God is not done yet with us. He never abandons anyone who keeps faith with Him. In the first reading from Ezekiel 17: 22-24, God reassures us that He will take a sprig from the cedar and plant it on a high mountain, that it may provide shades for all kinds of birds and animals. Remember again in the Gospel, the seed grows at night, the farmer knows not how, but he surely planted the seed. Let us be sure to first plant the seed of goodness, then God will help grant us the growth and increase we desire.
May the living word of God, sown in us, grow in our lives and satisfy every yearnings of our hearts through Christ our Lord Amen.
Wishing you a blessed Sunday.
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