And he said: So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the earth, And should sleep, and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring, and grow up whilst he knoweth not. For the earth of itself bringeth forth fruit, first the blade, then the ear, afterwards the full corn in the ear. And when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we compare it? It is as a grain of mustard seed: which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth: And when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches, so that the birds of the air may dwell under the shadow thereof. And with many such parables, he spoke to them the word, according as they were able to hear. And without parable he did not speak unto them; but apart, he explained all things to his disciples.
Mark 4:26-34 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father what parable would Jesus use for us in our day to explain the kingdom of God. Would he use the same type of parable or something that we would understand in better terms by how we live. But the best is how he explained it to those so very long ago. A tiny seed that grows and grows to become a huge plant or tree. It is so simple, the growth. I look and stand under a tree that shades me and come to see the enormity of the words. How you overshadow us and keep us safe and protected. Never having been near the Giant Seqoia's, I can only imagine how immense those trees are and how truly puny I am beside it. But you dear Father are far more immense than these trees and your kingdom is even bigger than we could ever imagine.

And again he began to teach by the sea side; and a great multitude was gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a ship, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude was upon the land by the sea side. And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his doctrine: Hear ye: Behold, the sower went out to sow. And whilst he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate it up. And other some fell upon stony ground, where it had not much earth; and it shot up immediately, because it had no depth of earth. And when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And some fell upon good ground; and brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased and yielded, one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred. And he said: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, the twelve that were with him asked him the parable. And he said to them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he saith to them: Are you ignorant of this parable? and how shall you know all parables? He that soweth, soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown, and as soon as they have heard, immediately Satan cometh and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these likewise are they that are sown on the stony ground: who when they have heard the word, immediately recieve it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but are only for a time: and then when tribulation and persecution ariseth for the word they are presently scandalized. And others there are who are sown among thorns: these are they that hear the word, And the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts after other things entering in choke the word, and it is made fruitless. And these are they who are sown upon the good ground, who hear the word, and receive it, and yield fruit, the one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred.
Mark 4:1-20 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your Son gives us so much to know and to understand. He tells parables for those present so they would at least understand in their time what he was talking about. For us we do the same, we give examples of parables to simulate what he was explaining. To some it may not make any sense at all, but to others their interior ears heard the word or message. Can it then be said that each of us who reads and hears the word will understand it in however our life is progressing at the time. Such as when your son spoke it so very long ago to those who listened. Listening to the Word and hearing it with an open heart helps us to understand Jesus' message. The garden of our hearts when ploughed and taken care of will bear fruit when the seed is planted and nourished by the water of life. The water that Jesus gives for nourishment. How is the garden of your heart, is it ready to bear fruit or does it need more tilling and sifting until the word (the seed) is ready to sprout within.

And his mother and his bretheren came; and standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him; and they say to him: Behold thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And answering them, he said: Who is my mother and my brethren? And looking round about on them who sat about him, he saith: Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of God, he is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Mark 3:31-35 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we are not to exclude those around us as our mother, brother or sister as our own families. We should be letting those around us into our lives as if they've been there all along. The stranger that we come across, perhaps while shopping or paying a visit at Church. Each person who lives to you Jesus is family. Why should I think any different and exclude my neighbor in that same thought that you see each individual as your mother, brother or sister. For that matter I am grateful that you include me as part of that family. I know I have my own, but your love has extended mine to the many I come across and touch and who touch me and make me their family as well. Being in a family this way knows no bounds, because it is limitless and never ending. There is someone always being born as well as dying and I accept them all as my huge family. I may not be related by blood but in spirit we all belong as one.