11th Sunday of the Year, B – June 16, 2024.
Readings: Ezekiel 17:22-24; Ps 92:1-2.12-13.14-15(R.1a); 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Gospel – Mark 4:26-34.
Sunday Synopsis
In the first reading, the Prophet Ezekiel uses the analogy of a tree to establish that that God shall plant a shoot on a very high mountain. In the second reading, St. Paul assures that we live by faith and not by sight. Christians must learn to be exiled from the flesh and desire to please God. In the two Parables of the Seed and Mustard Seed, the Seed is the word of God in the heart of a Christian and the planter is God. The field is the world. Since the Word starts in the heart of the believer as a small seed, we are challenged to nurture it so that it can grow into a big shrub where others, like birds are drawn to find peace, material and spiritual help.
Introduction
Beloved in Christ, our liturgy presents us with the parables of Jesus. The penny catechism defines a parable “as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” The gospel states that “using many parables like these [those mentioned in the gospel], he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it.”
Background and Summary of the Readings
In the first reading (Ezekiel 17:22-24), the Prophet Ezekiel uses the analogy of a tree to establish that that God shall plant a shoot on a very high mountain. It reveals that the tree will sprout branches, bear fruit and become a noble cedar with broad branches where the birds of the air would find shelter. It presents a contrast between Nebuchadnezzar who “cuts off” and God who “sets up” the top shoot. The highest branch of the cedar is a prophecy about the expected messiah – the heir of the royal house of David – Jesus, the anointed one of God.
In the second reading, (2 Corinthians 5:6-10), St. Paul assures that we live by faith and not by sight. He invites Christians to be exiled from the flesh and desire to please God. The reading presents the tension between the desires of the flesh and the demands of the spirit but assures that our confidence lies in doing the will of God – the only way to please him.
The gospel (Mark 4:26-34) highlights two parables presented by Jesus – The Parable of the Seed that gradually grows in the night from a shoot to an ear, then a full grain leading to harvest time. The second parable is the Proverbial Mustard Seed – the smallest of all the seeds on earth, but once it is sown, it grows into the biggest shrub of all and puts out branches where the birds of the air find shelter in its branches. In the two parables, the Seed is the word of God in the heart of a Christian and the planter is God. The field is the world. The Word starts in the heart of the believer as a small seed but if nurtured, it grows into a big shrub where others, like birds are drawn to find peace, material and spiritual help.
Pastoral Lessons
- Impregnate the world with Christian values: The message of the first reading that “the tree will sprout branches, bear fruit and become a noble cedar” indicates that believers have the noble task of impregnating the world with Christian values by living holy lives and being the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Cf. Matthew 5:13 & John 8:12).
- Be an agent of change: As of old, God has planted the Christian in the world as a shoot on a very high mountain to change the world in terms of administering justice and ensuring equitable distribution of resources.
- Cut off every “Nebuchadnezzar” in your life: Christians are challenged to “cut off” every Nebuchadnezzar in their lives which kills the spiritual life and align with God who “sets up” new “top shoots” in their lives.
- Be exiled from the flesh: Amid the constant tension between the desires of the flesh and the demands of the spirit, we are challenged to be exiled from the flesh and desire to do what is pleasing to God bearing in mind that we will give account of our lives before God.
- Embrace patience, live for others: The Parables of the Seedand Mustard Seed teach us the value of patience with the qualms of this life so as to inherit eternal life prepared by Christ, the way, the truth and the life who challenges us on the imperative of living for others.
Summary Lines
- In the first reading, the Prophet Ezekiel uses the analogy of a tree to establish that that God shall plant a shoot on a very high mountain.
- In the second reading, St. Paul assures that we live by faith and not by sight. Christians must learn to be exiled from the flesh and desire to please God.
- In the two Parables of the Seed and Mustard Seed, the Seed is the word of God in the heart of a Christian and the planter is God.
- The field is the world.
- Since the Word starts in the heart of the believer as a small seed, we are challenged to nurture it so that it can grow into a big shrub where others, like birds are drawn to find peace, material and spiritual help.
Conclusion
From Ezekiel’s Finest Cedar to the Marcan Mustard Seed, the Christian is called to live for others as this is an imperative for Christian witnessing. Jesus gives his life as a ransom for many and charges us to do same. Our liturgy gives us a clue to achieving this feat namely making concerted efforts at being exiled from the flesh to live the life of the spirit. We are also reminded that being patient is key to realising the heavenly goal. May God help us to live our lives to the full so as to reach the heavenly Jerusalem, our eternal home. Amen!
