First Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24

Reflection:

Ezekiel was a prophet during the period of the Exile in Israel’s history. Around 600 B.C. the Israelites were conquered by the Babylonians. Many of the Israelites, including Ezekiel, were taken to Babylon for exile, which lasted about 70 years. This was a dark period in Israel’s history that was caused by their unfaithfulness to God. A major low point was in 587 B.C. when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Israelite’s Temple, the center of their worship of God and the sign of His presence among them. This was a devastating blow. As difficult as this was, all these events were intended to be a wake up call to the people to turn their hearts back to God. Prophets were voice pieces of God to call the people to repentance and warn of what was to come. In this Sunday’s first reading, we hear a hope-filled prophecy from Ezekiel. In the midst of the devastation of the Exile, the Lord spoke through Ezekiel to promise a time of restoration and new life. The image of a cedar tree was used to illustrate what will come to pass. The cedar here represents the kingdom of Israel, with a particular connection to the line of King David, a line that was broken at the time of the exile. The Lord promised that a “shoot” from this tree would be planted and grow into a new “majestic cedar.” The promise was pointing forward to when Jesus would come as the new Davidic king and establish a new kingdom, the Church. Thus, the cedar is an image of Jesus and the Church. In a way, it even points forward to the cross, as Jesus established the Church by dying on a tree which was “planted” on a mountain (that is, Mt. Calvary) in Israel. The image that “Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it” foreshadows the universality of the Church (which is the very meaning of the word “catholic”). The Church is for all people, drawing them to encounter Christ.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Reflection:

What does it mean to “walk by faith, not by sight”? This famous phrase must be understood within its proper context of this reading from 2 Corinthians. The Apostle Paul is speaking of the contrast between this earthly life and heaven. He says that “while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.” In other words, while we are living on this earth we do not see God face to face. Paul elsewhere makes this point by contrasting life on earth and life in heaven by saying, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Thus, we must “walk by faith, not by sight” since we do not see or understand everything clearly. This does not, however, mean that faith is blind or that faith is contrary to reason and without any understanding. On the contrary, faith and reason go hand in hand. As St. Anselm famously put it, “Faith seeks understanding.” Our time on earth should be spent preparing for heaven by seeking to know and love God. For we will be judged by God when we pass from this life to the next based on what we did during our time here. And He will give us “recompense” for our acts. So, let us spend our lives aspiring to love God and pursue heaven. We do this by walking by faith, trusting God to lead our lives in the right direction. And, as Paul reminds us, we can be courageous, serving God with confidence and joy so one day we will see Him face to face in heaven.

Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-34

Reflection:

In this Sunday’s gospel reading we hear two agricultural parables from Jesus, both referring to the kingdom of God, which is the Church. The first one speaks of seed being spread and growing without the sower’s direct intervention. The lesson here is that we are to spread the seed of the Word of God to people but only God can make it grow. The growth itself of the Church and its members may be visible, as with the growth of the grain, but the power of God working in people’s lives to cause that growth will remain invisible. All that said, this parable teaches the necessity of God’s grace for the Church to grow, just as there is the necessity of sunlight, rain, good soil, etc. (elements mostly out of the control of the sower) for grain to grow. The second parable is the famous Parable of the Mustard Seed. It teaches us that although the Church started out small (with just a small group of disciples), it would grow into a large, worldwide Church. The imagery used here is also reminiscent of the first reading, reminding us that the Church will truly be universal by welcoming “birds of every kind” (representing people from many different cultures and backgrounds).  

Application:

  • Do you see your life as a preparation for heaven? Or are you just focused on the here and now? Reflect this week on how your daily actions are faith-motivated and heaven-oriented.