Friars Corner: God’s grace works even though we are often unaware

Ezekiel 17:22-24; Ps 92:2-3, 13-16; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34

Dear brothers and sisters, we have now finished celebrating the core teachings of our faith. We return to ordinary time where we can reflect on various elements Jesus taught in his public life. In the coming weeks we will look at various parables/stories from St. Mark’s gospel. Jesus used simple examples from ordinary daily life to help people understand how God wants us to live in his kingdom with his values.

Jesus told stories to the crowds yet explained more of the details later to his close

st followers. After Pentecost when the Holy Spirit guided them, they taught the people more details of living in Jesus’ kingdom. God is always about a greater work as he continues to guide us by his Holy Spirit and overall church leadership.

In St. Mark’s parables today, he is talking about the growth of seeds. In the first story Mark speaks about the farmer planting seeds. I am living in Pennsylvania farm country. They have planted their fields of wheat, soy, and corn. The rain and sun cause the seeds to germinate and grow without much care on the part of the farmers. At harvest they will gather up the produce. Much of this growth is God’s grace and plan to feed his people.

The second parable deals with planting a small mustard seed. It grows into the large shrub of about eight to ten feet high in which the birds can dwell. The moral is that from a very small seed come great benefits for many birds. God is working and providing for his children. We may feel small and unimportant but God gives each of us many gifts and talents. He wants us to use them for our livelihood and to bless others.

God sees the bigger picture and at times wants to move us where he wants us to be so he can bless and provide for others through us. Will we allow him to do that in us? We need to pray and listen more for his guidance. The joy that comes as we use our gifts to bless others is amazing. We help others and often are blessed by others. As we do this we help Jesus make the world a better place in which to live.

With Psalm 92 today, let us praise and thank God that he is at work even though we don’t see the greater picture. At the end of our life here we shall be judged on how we have cooperated with his gifts and graces. May the fruits of his love, peace and joy be abundant in our lives that they may bless others.

Have a productive week,

+ Fr. Bob Hilz
(© 2015 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)