Seeds of God

Mark 4:26-32

Mark 4:26-32 (NRSV):

The Parable of the Growing Seed

26 He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

30 He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 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.”

Queries:

What elements of our world and our ways are being challenged or “upset” by these parables? What is being suggested as an alternative?

How do the imagery and language of “seeds” help me understand the most sacred mysteries and sacred hopes of our tradition?

What is meaningful about these parables to me, today?