Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
11th
Sunday of the Year, B – June 17, 2018.
Readings:
Ezekiel 17:22-24; Ps 92:1-2.12-13.14-15(R.1a);
2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Gospel –
Mark 4:26-34.
Theme
- Living for Others: An Imperative!
Introduction
Beloved in Christ, our liturgy presents us with the
parables of Jesus. The gospel particularly mentions that “using many parables
like these [those mentioned in the gospel], he spoke the word to them, so far
as they were capable of understanding it.” Our reflection titled, “Living for
Others: An Imperative” explores the depth of our liturgical readings with a
view to finding the requisite pastoral punch-lines. But first, we shall take a
look at the background and summary of the readings.
Readings:
Background and Insights
The background to today’s reading from the book of the
Prophet Ezekiel (17:22-24) is that the people of Israel were punished. Notwithstanding
this punishment, using the analogy of a tree, the text indicates that God shall
plant a shoot on a very high mountain. The interesting part of the narrative is
that the tree will sprout branches, bear fruit and become a noble cedar with
broad branches where the birds of the air would find shelter. It presents a
contrast between Nebuchadnezzar who “cuts off” and God who “sets up” the
topshoot. Apparently, the highest branch of the cedar was a prophecy about the
expected messiah – the heir of the royal house of David. The reading is a
prediction about Jesus, the likely anointed one of God.
In the second reading, (2 Corinthians 5:6-10), St.
Paul assures that we live by faith and not by sight. What this means is that
Christians must learn to be exiled from the flesh and desire to please God
remembering that we would give account of our lives before God based on what we
did in the body whether good or bad. The reading presents the seeming tension
that exists between the desires of the flesh and the demands of the spirit. It further
assures that our confidence lies in doing the will of God as that is the only
way to please God.
The gospel (Mark 4:26-34) reading highlights two
parables presented by Jesus - The Parable
of the Seed that gradually grows in the night from a shoot, to an ear, then
a full grain leading to harvest time. The second parable is the Proverbial Mustard Seed which is the
smallest of all the seeds on earth but once it is sown, it grows into the
biggest shrub of all and puts out branches where the birds of the air find
shelter in its branches.
In the two parables, the Seed is the word of God in
the heart of a Christian and the planter is God. The field is the world. The Word
starts in the heart of the believer as a small seed but if nurtured, it grows
into a big shrub where others, like birds are drawn to find peace, material and
spiritual help.
Pastoral Punch-lines and Application
1. Christians are challenged to “”cut off” every
Nebuchadnezzar in their lives which kills the spiritual life and align with God
who “sets up” new “topshoots” in their lives.
2. As of old, God has planted the Christian in the
world as a shoot on a very high mountain to change the world in terms of administering
justice and ensuring equitable distribution of resources.
3. The message of the first reading that “the tree
will sprout branches, bear fruit and become a noble cedar” indicates that
believers have the noble task of impregnating the world with Christian values
by living holy lives and being the salt of the earth and the light of the world
(Cf. Matthew 5:13 & John 8:12).
4. We are challenged to be exiled from the flesh and
desire to do what is pleasing to God bearing in mind that we will give account
of our lives before God.
5. Since we are
told that a seeming tension exists between the desires of the flesh and the
demands of the spirit, we must do everything it takes to lead spiritual lives
so as not to fight on the side of the evil one.
