Mark 4:26-34 – The Parable of the Growing Seed
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 through it all 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.”
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.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
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Reflection written by Kristina Marzec, Co-Chair, Merchandise Committee, traveled to Kenya in 2009 and 2011, in addition climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, and went to Zambia and Rwanda
How will you extend your hearts and minds to serve those you encounter in Kenya?
As I entertained the idea of going to Africa once again in 2011 I knew that this would be a different type of trip than my first one in 2009. I had different goals, motivations and missions to accomplish. I chose to begin my trip by climbing Kilimanjaro, all 19,341 ft. of her and then travel on to Zambia and Rwanda to help out with different charities. The idea of climbing Kilimanjaro, traveling to Kenya to purchase merchandise for our HCAM group, and then venturing into the unknown countries of Zambia and Rwanda to work with people I had never met before was difficult for me to wrap my head around. It was a long trip that involved completely different strengths for each segment. Every week would be different for me and the success of my trip was dependent on my attitude and preparation. This reminded me of our lives that are meshed together by a series of events and encounters that we prepare for during our tenure on this earth.
Every object and living being starts young and small (even Kilimanjaro), similar to the small seedlings, but after time we develop a foundation and plant our roots into the lives of others. Despite starting out as small seedlings ourselves, we are enormous in the eyes of God. He created us to extend ourselves to others, to lend our hands to those in need, to lend our arms for a hug or our shoulders to cry on, just as the mustard plant does for the birds in the sky. Think about how you are going to extend yourself to those you meet along the way in Africa. How will you extend your branches and support those you encounter?
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