Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Mark 4:26-34 In his ministry Jesus constantly calls us to notice, and to be attentive to, the coming of the kingdom of God into our lives. In this season of spring planting, his parable of a man scattering seed particularly grabs my attention! The seed is not mine and I cannot control its growth but I can tend the plants and harvest the outcome! The tiny units of ‘corn-ness’ or ‘bean-ness’ or ‘squash-ness’ came to me because another gardener had planted and tended and harvested corn, beans and squash plants before me. Planting the seed, watering it, weeding the garden and waiting as it grew was all they had to do to keep the cycle of life going. Then it was their responsibility to carefully pass on the seeds packed with all their unique DNA to me so that I, too might plant, tend, and harvest my own corn, beans and squash . So too with the Kingdom of God. The seed that is the Word is not mine, and comes to me already packed with all that it needs to grow fruit in the kingdom of God. All I can do is scatter the seed of God’s word – Jesus’ teachings - on the good soil of my life, water it with the openness and holiness of my life, keep my ‘garden’ free from the weeds of sin as much as possible, and patiently notice the kingdom of God grow into fruitfulness in the unfolding of the time. And then it is my responsibility to pass on the seeds, the unique, whole and complete God-ness that is at the heart of all of the good fruits of my labours. As followers of Jesus, we are all in the business of scattering seed and gardening to bring about the Kingdom of God in our communities, our families and our own lives. Will I have the humility and patience to cultivate the Kingdom of God in my lifetime, and to pass on the God-ness, the holiness, at it core? Holy Spirit, help me attend the coming of the Kingdom of God. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. (Psalm 98:4) Sometimes you think you are being buried when you are really being planted. God is using this season to grow you. Unashamed Impact https://www.facebook.com/UnashamedImpact/ For a thoughtful video 3 minute video on the coming of the kingdom of God see Life Before Death at https://vimeo.com/58983646 Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
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AuthorBeverly Illauq lives in Kemptville, Ontario, where she greets each morning by seeking the Gospel Mystery of the Day - the Word of the Lord for direct and practical application to the specific challenges & joys of the day. Archives
March 2024
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