Parables are weird.
Generally speaking, their meaning is not obvious because they have
strange and unusual twists that should cause us to stop in our tracks and
ponder… but ponder what? Well, when
Jesus throws a strange twist into a story, he’s usually trying to show us how God’s ways are not our ways – they’re different, divine, mysterious… and effective.
In the parable of the seed that grows of itself (Mark 4:26-29), what is strange about the story?
Jesus says, This is how it is with
the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land, and
would sleep and rise, night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he
knows not how. Wait! If you were a farmer, wouldn’t you do more
than that? Wouldn’t you water your seedlings, pull the weeds that grow up
around them, tend to them, to make sure they bear fruit? Most farmers work constantly in their field. So what's up with this farmer in the parable?
One way to look at it is that, by stressing that seed "grows of itself," Mark is putting the emphasis on God’s action, rather than man’s: God is in control. Humans have a tendency to overact; Mark’s lesson here is one of faith and trust. In all things, we must trust in God's action before our own. If we place our trust in God, we shall indeed put forth branches and bear fruit, flourishing like the palm tree and bearing fruit even in old age.
One way to look at it is that, by stressing that seed "grows of itself," Mark is putting the emphasis on God’s action, rather than man’s: God is in control. Humans have a tendency to overact; Mark’s lesson here is one of faith and trust. In all things, we must trust in God's action before our own. If we place our trust in God, we shall indeed put forth branches and bear fruit, flourishing like the palm tree and bearing fruit even in old age.
(Note: this Scripture
reflection is based on Fr. Felix Just, S.J.’s Retreat with the Gospel of Mark; CDs and a study guide are available in the
Religious Ed office if you are interested.)
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