Daily Readings - Sun Jun 13 2021
Ezekiel
22Thus says the Lord GOD: "I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.23On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest.24And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it."
2 Corinthians
6So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,7for we walk by faith, not by sight.8Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Mark
26And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.27He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.28The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.29But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."30And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.34He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful metaphors and reflections that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Ezekiel presents a vision of a cedar tree, symbolizing God's ability to bring forth new life from humble beginnings. The twig planted by God grows into a mighty tree, offering shelter to all, illustrating God's transformative power and His ability to exalt the lowly. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the hope of renewal for His people.
In the second reading, Paul's letter to the Corinthians encourages us to live by faith, trusting in God's plan even when the path is unclear. He reminds us that our actions have consequences and that we will be held accountable. This call to faith and accountability ties into the Gospel reading, where Jesus uses parables to describe the Kingdom of God. The seed that grows mysteriously and the mustard seed that becomes a great tree emphasize the Kingdom's gradual yet profound growth, highlighting the power of small, faithful actions.
These readings together invite us to embrace humility and trust in God's plan. Just as the cedar and the mustard seed grow under God's care, our faith, though it may start small, can lead to significant spiritual growth. Let us cultivate humility, trusting that even our smallest efforts can yield abundant fruit. May we live with faith, knowing that God's grace can transform us and our world, leading us to a harvest of righteousness and peace.