Saint Bernardino Realino by Ermes Dovico

GOSPEL PEARLS

Simple not trivial

He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples (Mark 4, 34)

Gospel Pearls 28_01_2022

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’ He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’ Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone. (Mark 4,26-34)

The parables are simple, but not trivial, representations of reality that allow honest listeners to comprehend Jesus’ teaching. In the early days of the Gospel proclamation, the Kingdom of God appears so small and weak but its development over time and in the hearts of people, demonstrates that God is great because the Kingdom of God always finds a way to overcome, especially when everything seems already lost. We are living in difficult times, but do allow yourself to be discouraged by remembering God is on our side. He is already victorious and is constantly assisting us.