11^th SUNDAY, YEAR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “THE SEED OFTHE KINGDOM IS PLANTED IN YOU”

INTRODUCTION:

China has a very strange bamboo tree seed. When the seed is planted, it lays under the ground for five years before sprouting out above the ground. During the five years the seed is still under the ground, it is watered and fertilized regularly. When the seed finally sprouts, it grows up to a height of nine feet in just six weeks. It was discovered that within the first five years the seed was still lying under the ground, the bamboo seed was busy building an elaborate root system that would enable it to grow nine feet in six weeks after germination. The seed of the kingdom has been planted in us. What root system are we building up, and what heights have we attained spiritually, morally and otherwise?

 

THE FIRST READING (EZ. 17: 22 – 24)

The first reading narrated how God selected and planted Israel like a cedar on a lofty mountain, where it grew flourished and stood taller/higher than other trees (peoples). God spoke so high of Israel the seed he planted, and wished they lived up to his expectations; flourishing and higher in faith, virtues, morality, spirituality, goodness, justice and righteousness than other nations. We are the new Israel, chosen and planted by God and expected to stand tall in faith, virtues and holiness.

 

THE SECOND READING (2 COR. 5: 6 – 10)

In order to stand tall in faith, virtues and holiness, St. Paul advised us in the second reading to be at home with God, always aiming to please him in the body by doing good always. We must be at home with the Words and commandments of God which guide us to a holy and virtuous life.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (MK. 4: 26 – 34)

In the gospel reading, Jesus used the parable of the mustard seed to describe the kingdom of God, planted as a little seed with the twelve apostles; and now grown into a universal Church that shelters and nourishes uncountable souls marching to the heavenly kingdom. The Church and we the members must continue to grow physically, spiritually and morally to shelter the world from the rays and rain of error, evil, sin and destruction.

 

CONCLUSION

The seed of the kingdom has been planted at St. Eugene, and in us Christians. The seed of the kingdom is planted in you because God chose and saw you as a fertile ground and expects the best from you. So, do not let God and yourself down after all these years of planting, watching, waiting, watering and nourishing you with his Holy Words. Like the Chinese Bamboo seed, how fast or slow are we growing into what God wants us to be? How fast or slow are we attaining the growth and height God wants us to attain in faith, virtues and spirituality? How far have we spread our faith and moral shade over our children, family and the world around us? How many souls can take shelter under our shade and guidance to escape the rain of evil oppressions? As God’s seeds, we must grow and labour to become big shelters of souls for God.

 

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

 11^th Sunday, Year B: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Let us continue sowing the seed of God’s Kingdom in others

Readings: Ez. 17:22-24; 2Cor 5:6-10; Mk 4:26-34

On this eleventh Sunday of ordinary time, the Church reminds us that, as part of God’s kingdom, she is like a tree planted by God in the world. In her early beginning, she was like the smallest of all seed, but she eventually grew up to become the noblest of trees, with her branches reaching all corners of the earth. She is the physical manifestation of God’s kingdom established on earth by Jesus. So, like the birds of the air, we are called to make our home in her.

The first reading gave us a message of hope and restoration. It was a message of hope and restoration from God to the people of Israel exiled in Babylon. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God revealed to the Israelites His plans of restoring the kingdom of Israel. He said, He will take a small branch of cedar and plant it on a high mountain in Israel. This small branch will grow into a big and noble cedar. All animals will find shelter under its shade, and on its branches, birds will build their nests. This was a prophecy that God was about to transfer his people from slavery, poverty and misery to a realm of justice, peace and prosperity.

Though God freed the people of Israel from slavery after some years and brought them back to Israel, the ultimate fulfilment of this prophecy was in the coming of Jesus, who freed his people from slavery of sin, saved them from the misery of sickness and established the kingdom of God on earth.

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus used two parables to describe this kingdom of God which he had established. The first parable told us that it is a kingdom where God grants increase to the little works or efforts of men. In this kingdom, which is the Church, men and women go about everyday spreading/sowing the seed of faith through their words, examples and testimonies, but it is God who waters this seed of faith in the hearts, families and societies that welcomed it, making it to grow into a bigger kingdom where the fruits of peace, love, grace, and numerous blessings will be harvested. We should, therefore, be patient whenever we sow this seed of faith in our brothers, sisters and friends. All we need to do is to continue watering it with good examples and it will definitely grow and bear fruits.

Most times we think that what is required to convert our friends are big arguments/talks about faith or big faith examples or heroic acts of faith, but this is not always the case. The kingdom of God is rather like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds. But wherever it is sown, it grows bigger than all other trees. Thus, a small example of faith, few words of faith or small example of good action, as small as the mustard seed, is sufficient to plant the seed of the kingdom of God in the hearts of our friends, brother, sisters and colleagues. And whenever this seed of faith is sown, God will grant the increase. The growth and fruiting of this seed of faith may not occur immediately, and how this will happen, we may not know. But St. Paul says that those who have the inner eye of faith will see it happen, because we walk by faith and not by sight.

Therefore, dear friends in Christ, let us not wait for bigger opportunities or bigger occasions to make Christ known to others, let us rather start with the small and ordinary daily experiences and activities; even if they are as small as the mustard seed, God will transform them into big trees.

Happy Sunday, dear friends

Fr Isaac Chima

 11^th Sunday, Year B: Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh

THEME: THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: A LITTLE BEGINNING THAT ENDS IN GOD

(Mark 4:26-34)

Jesus in the Gospel of Today talks about the Kingdom of God first as the seed scattered upon the ground. Secondly, as the mustard seed, which looks insignificant at the beginning but becomes great at last.

 

THE SCATTERED SEEDS

Narrating the first parable of today's Gospel, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to the seed a man scattered and slept. It grew of its own, and when it is ripe, the man harvests.

The Lord has scattered each and every one of us in the world. He allows us to grow and be productive. He endows us with graces, favours, and blessed things of the earth, makes us responsible for them, and waits for us to give proper account at the end of the day. The Lord gives us freedom to make use of the numerous opportunities given to us to make heaven.

He wants you to grow. He has done His part. The rest is in your hands. Do not take His benevolence for granted. Do not think that He is sleeping away. Time shall come when He will come to harvest, then your achievements will speak for you.

You've got in you the potential for spiritual growth that takes you to heaven. 

Do not waste the seeds of the kingdom in you. Africa and Nigeria have wasted a lot of seeds that should have been nourished to greatness. We have lost a lot in the past through insecurity, corruption, injustice, and hatred. The time for reckoning is coming. Let us make use of the time we have now to make this environment a better place, a kingdom of God on earth. Let us make good use of this moment to seek the ways of God and forestall the impending destruction that may visit when we fail to do the needful.

Do not waste the seed of your youth diminishing instead of living in accordance with the will of God for you. Do not get yourself involved in acts against the kingdom values.

 

VALUE THE MUSTARD SEED IN YOU

The little things that lead to the kingdom of God, to success, to greatness, and to fulfilment are the seeds deposited in us by God for noble purpose.

Since we are limited by sight, we may not understand them at the present. But we are encouraged to move on courageously and never look down on ourselves and what God can do through us.

What attracts the attention of God is found in our everydayness. They are found in the way we greet, we feel with people, perform our little roles and functions, in that simple smile, in checking up on our neighbours, in the cares we show, etc.

This parable speaks to our hearts to remain resolute, to be consistent in doing those little things and make them part of us. It is an invitation to keep growing in virtue. It calls on us to take one day at a time, to make positive steps towards positive ends.

This parable in a special way reminds us of the seed of faith sown in us at baptism, it challenges us to make it flourish so that it grows to what God intended when we were made heirs to His kingdom as infants.

Let us live in appreciation to the Lord who wills that we become great in every good work. This appreciation, in turn, will enable us as we grow to bring others to share the joy that flows from the kingdom of God. It makes us live lives that inspire people. It makes us live lives that win souls for Christ. We are made to participate in emptying hell fire and dispossessing the devil of his grip on children of God.

May you grow to the height God expects of you. May you attain the heavenly destination God willed for you. May you be a blessing and sign of the kingdom wherever you're catapulted to.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

We thank You, Lord God, for explaining the secret of the Kingdom to us, Your mere little children. Give us the courage to be consistent in the little good things we do every day of our lives. Do not allow the seed of evil introduced by the enemy to deceive us and make us lose focus of our end. May we make heaven after all we are passing through here on earth. We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday to you

(11th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr. B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh