"He said, 'To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.'" Mark 4:30-32
"The Kingdom of God is like..." is a phrase Jesus uses throughout the Gospels to teach His followers. He uses images or parables to help the crowds to come to a greater understanding of a difficult concept or reality. This is the case in this weekend's Gospel according to Mark.
He tells them that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which is one of the smallest seeds on the earth. Yet, it grows into one of the largest of plants with branches so big that the birds can dwell in them. It's something that has very small and humble beginnings, but over time it continues to grow into something significant.
You cannot watch a seed grow when it's first planted. But over time, it sprouts, takes root, expands, and produces fruit. It's very gradual process, but the growth is always present, always working. The potential to become something great is there from the moment it is planted. Our faith is like that seed. As children, we don't have a full understanding of things. But the potential is already present. It takes years of prayer, contemplation, study and reflection to even grasp the basic concepts of our faith. But through our dedication and commitment, our faith can grow and become transformative and life-giving for others around you through our example and witness.
Athletes devote a great deal of time to training so that they can become stronger and more skilled. It's the same with our faith. The more you study, pray, and practice the faith, the more God may reveal things to you. Spend some time this week, studying scripture, maybe just a verse or two, and see how God might be speaking to you through His Word. You might just be surprised about what you discover about yourself and how you fit into the Kingdom of God.
Bishop Gregory Parkes
Did you know...
Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes is the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg. Prior to his appointment to the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Parkes served as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee from 2012-2016. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Orlando on June 26, 1999. Before answering the call to the priesthood, Bishop Parkes worked for several years in Tampa's banking industry.
