Reflection for Friday January 31 Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest: Mark 4:26-34

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

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:   

The story is told about a man who wanted to write for God, but he was hesitant because he knew his limitations. He didn’t write well and could hardly compose a decent sentence. 

Yet, deep in his heart, there was a persistent voice telling him to write. He, therefore, submitted himself to the urgings of this inner voice. To make a long story short, this man, who could hardly create a sentence, became well-known for his meditations about God. 

Jesus speaks about a small seed that was scattered into the land. The seed grew so big that it was soon harvested. Jesus also speaks about a tiny mustard seed that was sown. After a while, it grew so large that birds rested in its shade. 

Does God sow seeds within us with the intention of making them grow so that others may also benefit? Yes! God sows a seed in each and every one of us. But more often than not, this small seed doesn’t grow until it eventually dies. Why? Because many of us are afraid to trust God, so we do not take action. 

Surely, we will not be able to do it by ourselves. Yet, if we would only learn to call on God—if we would only learn to have faith in Him—the seed that God sows in our hearts will surely blossom so that it can be useful to our fellowmen. 

What is this seed that God sows within us? It could be talent, wealth, or anything that would benefit or help others. 

Try to discover the seed that God has sown in your heart. Upon discovering it, don’t just keep it to yourself. Share it so that it can grow bigger. Share it so that others may also benefit from it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas