Greetings on this the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops
Readings: 2 Tm 1:1-8; PS 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10; Mk 4:26-34
Notes
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God: the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.
Summary
In our day to day and in the world at large we sometimes se it as a chaotic, unorganized, cacophony of motion and sound. Yet, to borrow a quote: “Life is a symphony to the wise. And a cacophony to the foolish.” ― Mokokoma Mokhonoana. BTW: He is a challenging author to read but his honesty makes for good reflection on self. Mature audiences only.
As our gospel portion today reminds us, we don’t know a lot of how things happen. Through science we have come to know many things about the mechanism of biology and chemistry. But the purpose and the specifics are lost to us by this method of reasoning, especially when expressed in a time horizon that is measured in millennium of millennium.
Never the less, we plant the seed. In the field as crops and in the heart as purpose. But the seed and the desire to plant are primal gifts of the divine. From the gift to do, we have the gift of hopeful expectation. Remember the movie Martin? When he is finally surprised by the sprout in his made-from-scratch biosphere for a crop of potatoes? Some thing we know, some things we do not know. Underneath it all is the reassurance that if we plant a crop will come. This is primal and throughout all creation.
Perhaps this sacred scripture will make you realize the gift of women written in a hidden way: To the woman he said: Yet your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you. From the beginning, she reveals the urge and unity of and for the human family.
Reflection
How can we not be like Paul and like Timothy? Do we not feel the same basic imperative whispered to the inner parts of our soul? Plant the seed. Watch it grow. For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of [someone’s] hands!
Personal Reflection
Who was the first to stir the faith in me? My Mom. Who continues to stir the faith in me? Everyone who prays for me and for deacons. Rasto, a man who became my friend on the Camino, has invited me to Camino de Slovakia in 2024. He wants to repeat the Camino de Santiago as well. Rasto is among those who keeps me stirred to the flame of God’s love.
Yesterday
First Reading
To Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.
Responsorial
Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
Gospel
Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry