In this week’s Gospel, Jesus uses the image of seeds in two parables. Just before this, Mark’s Gospel has another parable about seeds.
In the parable preceding this text, Jesus tells us about seeds planted in good soil and bad soil. Only the seed planted in good soil bears fruit.
The second parable is about a farmer who plants seeds in the soil but does not know how they grow. It is a mystery for him.
In the third parable, Jesus shows a tiny seed growing to become a large, fruitful shrub.
Each of these images gives us some insights into God’s Kingdom. The first parable reveals that the kingdom can only grow in good hearts that are open to it.
The second shows that God’s Kingdom grows in mysterious and awe-inspiring ways without us knowing how. The third reveals that the tiny seed of the kingdom in our hearts can grow to a size and fruitfulness beyond our imagination.
What comes to mind when I think of a seed?
Do I recognise that God’s Kingdom is already in my heart now, and not only in some ‘place’ I go after I die?
Do I wish to have an open heart to
receive and be inspired by the mystery of the ‘seed’ of the Kingdom that God offers?
Do I long to have the kingdom grow in me now?
Reflections by Kath Knowles
