Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground.” In today’s Gospel reading (Mark 4:26-34), Jesus again uses the example of the seed. He tells us “The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Eventually the seeds of life mature and they must be harvested. We will all face that time when we must face the final judgment. Once the ground is prepared, there is nothing that can be done but watch the seed grow. Jesus says, “the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how.” God places a special grace within each soul. Our souls grow inside, yet we know not how. It is through the graces of God that the soul grows. Without the grace of God, the soul is empty. God silently transforms us causing us to make decisions. While God places these graces within us, we must decide to faithful, to be loving, to be compassionate, to surrender ourselves to the will of God. These decisions are placed within us through the power of the Holy Spirit. We should pray that when the fruit of our effort has finally ripened, we are worthy of the harvest. It is only by the grace of God that we can become one with Christ and one with the church.

The parable goes on to talk about the mustard seed. This is one of the smallest of seeds yet it grows into a might tree. A tree so big “that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” The holy grace which was placed in our heart is like the mustard seed. It starts out small and then transforms into the large tree. The seed does not cause the transformation, but the power of God. Our heart transforms because God wills it so. Just like the seed cannot grow until it receives the nutrients from the earth, our soul cannot grow in the kingdom of God unless God wills it. God wants all of us to grow and become a might force within the kingdom of God. However, we must be willing, we must humble ourselves and receive the nutrients from the Word of God.

A Simple Prayer

God, you have placed the seed of life within my soul.

Give me the nourishment and riches to make it grow into a mighty tree.

May my faith become attractive to guide others to you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon