GROWTH AND HARVEST - 11TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (6/13/2021)

Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 92
2 Cor. 5:6-10
Mark 4:26-34

Growth is a fact of life. Seeds are planted, take root, and grow. The readings and Responsorial Psalm talk about trees – those trees that bear fruit and gather the birds of the sky in their branches. As we once again start celebrating Sundays in Ordinary Time, we concentrate on the growth of God’s Kingdom, both within our hearts and in the world at large.

EZEKIEL

The prophet Ezekiel exercised his ministry in the sixth century BC. He had the distinction of being both a priest and a prophet. He prophesied to the people of Jerusalem and Judah to repent of their sins, especially idolatry, or else the Lord would allow a severe punishment to come upon them.

Unfortunately, the people did not heed Ezekiel’s warnings and the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem around 598-597 BC and destroyed it completely in 587-586 BC. Several thousand citizens of Judah were carried off into captivity, including Ezekiel himself.

Today’s selection, however, is actually a prophecy of eventual restoration. About 60 years after their deportation, the exiles were permitted to return to Judah and rebuild. Ezekiel prophesies about a tree (the nation), which will become a “majestic cedar.” Birds will make their home in it and “all the trees of the field” (other nations) shall acknowledge the power of the Lord to “bring low” and “lift high.” Only the Lord can “make the withered tree bloom.” The Responsorial, Psalm 92, urges us to give thanks to the Lord for his kindness and faithfulness. All this is a word of hope and encouragement for us today.

GOSPEL

Today’s gospel picks up on the theme of “growth.” First, it speaks about a man scattering seed. The seed sprouts and grows on its own, even while the sower is asleep! When the grain is ripe, it is harvested.

The second parable compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed, extremely small, but which is capable of growing to become a very large tree. Just like the tree in the first reading, it also welcomes “the birds of the sky” to lodge in its branches.

The lesson here is that we all have to do our small part to help build the kingdom of God. We sow the seed, which is God’s word. God gives the growth. It is the Holy Spirit who causes the kingdom of God to grow and spread. We can’t do God’s part, and God won’t do our part! May we not fail to do our part, small as it may be, and trust God to do his.

SECOND CORINTHIANS

Our second reading is an exhortation from St. Paul to be courageous while we are on our journey toward the eternal kingdom of God in heaven. Paul reminds us, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” On a personal note, two separate people each gave me plaques with this same quote. I have them both hanging in plain view in different places where I’ll be sure to see them, figuring it’s a word the Lord wants me to keep in mind!

This reading is also a reality check. By faith, we would rather “leave the body and go home to the Lord.” In all that we do, we have to bear in mind that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” In Hebrews 9:27, we read, “it is appointed to men once to die, and after that comes judgment.”

The gospel indicates that the sower waits patiently for the seed to grow but be very sure that the time for gathering is coming. “When the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” The harvest will inevitably arrive and then judgment for each one of us. May we all live in a way so as to please the Lord, counting always on his grace and mercy.

GROWTH LEADS TO HARVEST

The seed is sown and takes root; it grows and bears fruit. There will eventually come the harvest, when fruit and grain are gathered. A judgment will be made of what to keep and what to discard. In so many of our

Sunday liturgies, week after week, the word of God presents us with the decision we have to make – either for Christ, or for an “idol” of our own making. May we be courageous and walk by faith, not by sight. Thus, may we be prepared for the coming harvest.