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The Kingdom of God is always growing... All we need is faith

FR. FX. SUDARMANTO

Jun 14, 2018
815

ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

I just left the mission of Sierra Leone a week ago because of another responsibility given to me in another mission. I spent around 8 years in this mission, most was in the hilly parishes of Kabala and Mongo Bendugu. When I look back at my missionary journey I did during that time, I realised that my work is mainly sowing the seed of the Gospel through visiting villages, schools, building friendships, starting small catechumenate classes, baptizing and starting a new Christian community. My wonder is: Are they will be growing?

 

I feel a little bit anxious to leave all my little work I just started that need more attention and help to grow. I think I left most of things, especially in the new villages, still very row and immature because most are just in the beginning. Not only that, look at the environment, they seem will be difficult to grow and develop due to so many challenges, obstacles and difficulties. The ideal is that I spend more time with them in order to follow and help more the community to grow. Actually that was also my plan, but the reality leading me to another direction. Therefore, what should I do?

But I am very grateful to ponder the word of God today that helps me a lot to see my feeling in different way, more positively and fruitful. Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 4:26-34) consists of two parables about seeds. In the first, Jesus tells those gathered that this is “how it is with the kingdom of God.” A man scatters seed which over time sprouts and develops. Then when the grain is ripe, the man harvests his crop. The emphasis in the parable is on the seed, which seemingly has the power to grow on its own. In this it is like the Kingdom of God. While on earth, Jesus planted the seeds of the kingdom by his life, miracles, teaching, and suffering. However, the kingdom is not yet fully established. Although already present in Jesus and his group of twelve, it has yet to come to fruition; just as the seed in the parable needs time to grow, so does God’s kingdom.

The second parable focuses on the tiny mustard seed. Though not the smallest of all seeds, it is most likely the smallest that a first-century farmer in Jesus’ part of the world would have sown. Small as the mustard seed is, it develops into a tree. Though the mustard tree generally averages only nine to twelve feet in height, it has a wide expanse and provides a nesting place for birds. Just as the tree welcomes the birds, so is God’s kingdom welcoming and open to many.

These parables help me discern something about the kingdom of God and my own faith. In God I live and move and have our being, but God is a mystery and his kingdom, though present, has not yet come into its fullness. Today, the Kingdom of God is present in the Church. The mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom given to the Apostles is now given to us. But just as seeds need time to come to fruition, so does the Kingdom of God. We know that it will come in its fullness at the end of time. All we need is faith.

The Kingdom of God established by Jesus is present in the Church today, but it is still in process. Because we are the Church, we bear the responsibility of continuing the work of Jesus and his disciples. We do this by living Christ-like lives, by reaching out to others, by inviting others into the kingdom. Just as small seeds grow over time, so our small acts of kindness today have the possibility of making a big difference in the future. God’s kingdom is not yet fully established. It is growing and will come to fullness at the end of time.

Therefore, instead of keeping my anxiety about my little missionary works in Sierra Leone, I must be grateful to be part of the Church continuing the work of Christ. Growth occurs bit by bit...  It takes time. When things take a long time to happen, we have to be patient. We have to have faith. God wants us to know that if we live as Jesus asks us to, we can look forward to happiness with God in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thank you Jesus, and make our faith grow stronger. Amen.

ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

I just left the mission of Sierra Leone a week ago because of another responsibility given to me in another mission. I spent around 8 years in this mission, most was in the hilly parishes of Kabala and Mongo Bendugu. When I look back at my missionary journey I did during that time, I realised that my work is mainly sowing the seed of the Gospel through visiting villages, schools, building friendships, starting small catechumenate classes, baptizing and starting a new Christian community. My wonder is: Are they will be growing?

 

I feel a little bit anxious to leave all my little work I just started that need more attention and help to grow. I think I left most of things, especially in the new villages, still very row and immature because most are just in the beginning. Not only that, look at the environment, they seem will be difficult to grow and develop due to so many challenges, obstacles and difficulties. The ideal is that I spend more time with them in order to follow and help more the community to grow. Actually that was also my plan, but the reality leading me to another direction. Therefore, what should I do?

But I am very grateful to ponder the word of God today that helps me a lot to see my feeling in different way, more positively and fruitful. Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 4:26-34) consists of two parables about seeds. In the first, Jesus tells those gathered that this is “how it is with the kingdom of God.” A man scatters seed which over time sprouts and develops. Then when the grain is ripe, the man harvests his crop. The emphasis in the parable is on the seed, which seemingly has the power to grow on its own. In this it is like the Kingdom of God. While on earth, Jesus planted the seeds of the kingdom by his life, miracles, teaching, and suffering. However, the kingdom is not yet fully established. Although already present in Jesus and his group of twelve, it has yet to come to fruition; just as the seed in the parable needs time to grow, so does God’s kingdom.

The second parable focuses on the tiny mustard seed. Though not the smallest of all seeds, it is most likely the smallest that a first-century farmer in Jesus’ part of the world would have sown. Small as the mustard seed is, it develops into a tree. Though the mustard tree generally averages only nine to twelve feet in height, it has a wide expanse and provides a nesting place for birds. Just as the tree welcomes the birds, so is God’s kingdom welcoming and open to many.

These parables help me discern something about the kingdom of God and my own faith. In God I live and move and have our being, but God is a mystery and his kingdom, though present, has not yet come into its fullness. Today, the Kingdom of God is present in the Church. The mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom given to the Apostles is now given to us. But just as seeds need time to come to fruition, so does the Kingdom of God. We know that it will come in its fullness at the end of time. All we need is faith.

The Kingdom of God established by Jesus is present in the Church today, but it is still in process. Because we are the Church, we bear the responsibility of continuing the work of Jesus and his disciples. We do this by living Christ-like lives, by reaching out to others, by inviting others into the kingdom. Just as small seeds grow over time, so our small acts of kindness today have the possibility of making a big difference in the future. God’s kingdom is not yet fully established. It is growing and will come to fullness at the end of time.

Therefore, instead of keeping my anxiety about my little missionary works in Sierra Leone, I must be grateful to be part of the Church continuing the work of Christ. Growth occurs bit by bit...  It takes time. When things take a long time to happen, we have to be patient. We have to have faith. God wants us to know that if we live as Jesus asks us to, we can look forward to happiness with God in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thank you Jesus, and make our faith grow stronger. Amen.

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