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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 6 Year B
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Comments on this post:
June 8, 2021: This reading is really good!!! Whenever people decide to commit their lives to Christianity, they often feel overwhelmed and insignificant compared to great missionaries and clergy. This passage reinforces the truth that no matter how small you may think your influence is, God can grow it and multiply the fruit many times over. I recall a preacher once said decades ago, “Consider the man who brought Billy Graham to the Lord!” I may not be a great evangelist nor is that what God intends for me, but whoever I touch on God’s behalf may be!
June 9, 2021: Many times we tend to try to expand the meaning of parables. The words Jesus spoke about the common tiny mustard seed to common men. He used parables to teach simple truths that were self explanatory to all. This beautiful parable tells us simply to open our minds and hearts to see that our faith is never limited and increases as we exercise it. No 1,2,3s, etc.
Introduction
Introduction
"Saint Francis, hoeing his garden, was asked what he would do if he knew the world would end tomorrow. 'Continue hoeing my garden,' said the saint." -Suzanne Guthrie
There are many thoughts that arise when reading this week's gospel but gardening is surely one of them. I'm not a gardener; and I don't think I ever will be. Even so, looking at a mustard seed and at the mustard bush/tree gives me hope—hope that we can accomplish much if we are so inclined, hope that it only takes a little bit of something to make a big something happen. [sing "It only takes a spark."] I'm sure as you look back you can reflect, "Well, that was a surprise" because there was great success in an endeavor with a seemingly small start. For me, it was carrying the torch of producing plays for the church community. I certainly had no "skill". But it wasn't in my hands alone, was it? How about you? Feel free to comment.
Mark 4:26-34
Mark 4:26-34
Jesus said, . . . “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
From sermon4kids.com: “. . . Jesus began his ministry on earth with a very small group of twelve followers, but as they followed Jesus and told others about him, the Kingdom grew and grew until it covered the whole earth. You might think that you are too small to be an important part of the Kingdom of God, but when we tell others about Jesus, we help the Kingdom to grow to spread over the whole earth. So, when you start to think that you are too small to be important in the Kingdom of God, remember the parable of the mustard seed.”
Scripture: June 16, 2024—Track 1: 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13 (image); Psalm 20 (image); Track 2: Ezekiel 17:22-24 (image); Psalm 92:1-4,11-14 (image); 2 Corinthians 5:6–10 (11–13), 14–17 (image); and Mark 4:26–34 (image). A visual/audio journey through the scripture.
Collect: Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection: The passage from 2 Corinthians urges us to be reconciled, to engage in the ministry of reconciliation, and to be ambassadors for Christ. How can you join in a ministry of reconciliation as an ambassador of Christ?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 2 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
The five symbols of Reconciliation are keys, a stole, a raised hand, the cross and a scourging whip. Reconciliation includes a priest, the sign of the cross, and the words of absolution to signify that sins have been forgiven. The keys signify Jesus giving Peter "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven" thereby giving authority to the church to forgive sins. The stole is the primary symbol of the ordained priesthood. The raised hand is done by the priest in the Prayer of Absolution in removing the person's sins. The sign of the cross is given by the priest as he recites the final words of the Prayer of Absolution. A scourging whip symbolizes that, when Jesus was crucified, he was scourged at the pillar. Though His suffering He takes away our sin.
excerpted from "Five symbols for each sacrament" website.
Click here for a page of symbols described in this publication.
Images enhancing
the scripture
“World’s smallest seed” by James B. Janknegt
“Mustard seeds” by Paul Roorda
“Harvesting” by
Jorg Breu
Music founded
in the scripture
“In paradisum“, in Gabriel Faure’s Requiem
“In Christ there is no East or West“, congregational hymn
“Seek ye first“, sung by Patty LaBelle
Other voices
about the scripture
“God’s work in seeds” by Kathleen Rushton
The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of seeds on earth;
it grows up and becomes the greatest of shrubs, and the birds of the air make nests in its shade.
Give thanks to God, whose promised reign is coming.
Thanks be to God!
~Feasting on the Word
“Do you, or I, or anyone know . . .” by Pastor Patrick Johnson
Movies representing some part of the scripture
"God's not dead" (2014, PG), a student defending his faith against atheist (Netflix), Review
"The Healer" (2016, not rated), a troubled man discovers he has gift of healing, Review
"Come Sunday" (2018, TV-14), about preacher who says there is no hell (Netflix), Review
For families: Study guide and activities (another guide), group activity, snacks, kid video
For children: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin, craft;
For middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin, craft;
For youth: For the summer, we are exploring how faith and science fit together—or do they? The second video in the series talks about historical figures who were ostracized from the church for their scientific beliefs. And we begin to look at these figures in greater depth. Here's a worksheet you might want to use. The second part of Episode 2 is your reaction to the statement: “Many of modern science’s founders were committed Christians.” Create an emoji that depicts your reaction. Comment about your emoji.
Today’s Gospel reading is a series of brief parables in which Jesus describes the Kingdom of God.
The primary image is of something that seems small and weak, but which through God grows into the greatest of its kind. Thus, until the appearance of Jesus, God’s plan was unknown and hidden. But now in Jesus’ ministry it is revealed as the rule of God over the universe.
In the first reading, God, having rejected Saul, the first king, sends Samuel to the family of Jesse of Bethlehem to choose one of his sons as king. Samuel first seeks to choose one of the strong, handsome adult sons. But God directs him not to judge by outward appearance. The youngest son, still a boy, is designated by God. God’s preference for what seems insignificant in order that God’s king. power may be manifested is a consistent theme throughout the scriptures. David will become the great king.
For a brief time, in the Eucharist, we have a foretaste of God’s Kingdom, and we live in the presence of Christ as redeemed people. Not yet consummated, the Kingdom is, for a moment, revealed. It is likewise revealed whenever we, in obedience to our Lord, minister in his name to others, especially to the poor and the sick and the oppressed.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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