GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to 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.

The Word of the Lord

 

Ours is to sow

What Jesus asks of us is to scatter the seed, the Good News of the Gospel. We will not make it sprout, nor cause the plants to grow, and in many cases we will not see the fruits. But that must not stop us. And even though the seed we sow may seem small, like the mustard seed, it can become a great plant that gives shade and even shelter to the birds of the sky.

And us — who sowed this seed in us? Perhaps it was our grandparents, our parents, a teacher, a priest… Now Jesus asks it of you, He asks it of me: that we carry the proclamation of “Marriage as God intended it” throughout the world, especially to the most distant corners.

Spouses, let nothing stop us! He trusts in us.

Applied to Married Life

Michael: Patricia, sometimes I get discouraged. I feel our meetings with the couple we’re mentoring don’t achieve anything.

Patricia: Honestly, that’s how it seems to me too. But I’m convinced it’s not like that, because the very fact we keep meeting is already a step towards building something.

Michael: Yes, but it’s frustrating and disheartening not to see any results.

Patricia: Michael, it’s our task to sow — to bring them the Good News of the Gospel, to give them hope that their marriage can improve and become what God intended. That little seed we plant, it’s the Lord who will make it grow.

Michael: You’re absolutely right. Forgive me for getting carried away with wanting to see outcomes. It’s clear this isn’t a business where we can measure profits…

Patricia: Treasures in Heaven. What we must do here is keep offering our little bit, and He will do the rest.

Michael: Thank you so much for helping me see the supernatural side of it. Come here, my Suitable Helper, and give me a kiss!

Mother,

Help us to scatter the seed of the Gospel in season and out of season.

Blessed and praised be the Lord!