“The Kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground…and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.”
Jesus makes it sound like it’s all up to God—just scatter the seed and God will take care of the rest. Now, I’m not a farmer, but the few times I’ve tried to plant from seeds I have found that, if I ignore the garden, I don’t have much success.
I have to weed…and prune…and water. If I do that, the flowers can thrive. If I don’t, the results are not what I would like. I may not know how the seed actually does its magic and grows, but I do know that I have to do my part to make the flowers grow.
God is expecting me to help in this creation.
Yet, toss a mustard seed into the ground? It grows from “the smallest seed” into “the greatest of all shrubs.” I’ve grown trees from seed and, other than being sure they are watered at the beginning, they tend to thrive. They haven’t needed my careful and ongoing attention.
It seems like God doesn’t need me quite as much in this situation.
So how are we to know when we are needed, and when we are to back away and let God do the work? Sometimes we tend to let God do all the work, and yet other times we think we can do it on our own. Perhaps one of the messages in these two parables is that we do need to be involved. Sometimes, very deeply; other times, less so. But God expects us to be part of ongoing creation, and the way to determine our part is to ask God. It’s called prayer, asking for guidance, and being open to listen and act.
May we open our hearts and souls to the voice of God, knowing we are part of God’s creation plan. It’s not expected that either of us will do it on our own.
The readings for Thursday of Lent II are Psalm 70, 71, Genesis 42.29-38, 1 Cor 6.12-20, Mark 4.21-34, and can be found at www.satucket.com/lectionary/2lent2.htm.
Add new comment
Our comment policy requires that you use your real first and last names and provide an email address (your email will not be published). The Communications Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark reserves the right not to publish comments that are posted anonymously or that we deem do not foster respectful dialogue.