Loading...Holy Spirit, Enlighten us and guide us with your wisdom as we seek the truth and seek a better understanding of God’s love for us. Amen.
I’d like to share a brief reflection on what Mary read in today’s Gospel..
Mark presents just a couple of Jesus’ Parables — that’s a tongue twister, isn’t? — Jesus’ Parables.
Now, if, you’re keeping count o the number of parables Jesus delivered, as recorded, in the Gospels, there are about fifteen in Matthew, nine in Mark and over thirty-five in Luke, Oh, yes, and there are ZEO parables listed for John.
No, I didn’t count them, so I’ll take the word of the biblical scholars who took the time to do the counting.
More than 50 parables — that’s quite a few; however, Biblical scholars say that more than 2,00 0 parables were delivered in the Old Testament Readings. So no, Jesus wasn’t unique in telling a story and stressing a lesson — but he was the master of telling parables.
And if you’re looking for a quick definition of parable — look no further —forget Fable and Allegory comparisons. The simple explanation can be best described as such: telling Earthy stories to convey Heavenly meanings.
Earthy stories to convey Heavenly meanings…such as…
“The Kingdom of God is…” and you can fill in the blanks….and we will in a moment
So why did Jesus deliver parables? Well, the Apostles asked the same question.
So we Turn to Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 13:13-17) to get the answer “This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
“For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. ’But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Powerful. See. Hear. Feel. Believe.”
So let’s return to Mark. The Kingdom of God is, well, look no further, it’s right here at Saint James. Mark’s two parables this morning are a perfect description of what we all do here at Saint James. We sow the seeds, we go to sleep and then we wake up and find out what has taken root through the mystery of the nurturing of soil, sun and water — and tender loving care.
You are the gardeners sowing the seeds of Loving People, Serving People. Everyone you touch is yet another plant that has bloomed from the seed that you have planted. Reflect on the many ministries here at our small church and the hearts we touch day after day, from the Blanket Ministry to the food bank, Daughters of the King, ECW. Habitat for Humanity, Laundry Love, Wayside Christian Mission, and the list goes on-and-on..
And as we continue with Mark’s other parable, here at Saint James, we are like the mustard seed…. the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth many large branches. Yes, Saint James may be small, but we are mighty. We take root and add many branches as we connect with people all over our community and beyond.
And why? Because you have faith — just like the Apostles. As Jesus said,” blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. “ You believe in the love and power of Jesus. You walk the walk and talk the talk.
At our church, we are living out many more parables, from the Good Shepard, the Good Samaritan, and yes, even the Prodigal son. Don’t stop reaching out. Don’t lose faith. Keep on hearing and keep on seeing. And most importantly, keep sowing the seeds of loving people and serving people.
Amen.
