Sunday 7 June 2020

Reflecting on Mark's Gospel - Mark 4:26-29


We now have a second parable about sowing seed or, at least, what happens to sown scene. We might describe this as the parable of the growing seed. In a sense, the suggestion is that the Kingdom just happens. It is like seed that is sown. It will grow, even if we do nothing. Verse 28 – the earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. The earth will produce some kind of harvest from the seed. As Kim Huat Tan (Mark) says – “This parable is about the germinating seed, growing without any human input. What is emphasised is the inscrutability of the growth of the kingdom, but the results are assured and will be clear to all.”

As is normal for parable, the idea is not developed and there are all sorts of things we can consider if we use our imaginations. Of course, there are things that the farmer can contribute to enhance the chance of a good harvest. The ground can be prepared. The seed can be cared for, for example by watering and weeding. The optimum moment can be selected to gather the harvest. Other things, especially weather conditions, can be controlled. So, we might say, though it is not specified, it is with the Kingdom. As God’s people, we can contribute to what should be, with acts of justice and peace and kindness. However, there is much that beyond us, and thank God for what God does. After all, in the end it is God’s Kingdom, and not dependent on us, though we are called to live in Kingdom ways.

I wonder how much we do fits in with the ethos of God’s Kingdom. I wonder what acts of justice and peace and kindness, and indeed representing all the other fruits of the Spirit, we are not doing that we should.

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