Reflection for 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 13, 2021

Ezekiel 17:22-24:   Using a picturesque allegory of transplanting a shoot from the top branches of a cedar tree, the author tells of the restoration of Israel. The image of “birds of every kind dwelling beneath it” might be interpreted as a prediction of the gathering of Jews from every nation to settle in modern Israel. It might also be interpreted that this allegory is a vision of what should have happened before; in the reading   previous to this one; when the people of Israel broke the Covenant; turning away from and disobeying God. Consequently, the people were punished with the Babylonian exile and captivity. A strong message here is that obedience results in life-giving, fruit-producing growth; while disobedience results in withering, suffering, death and destruction. This passage ends with the   observation that God has the power to transform life; to nurture it and cause it to grow or to wither it and take away its life. There’s a strong encouragement of obedience to God and an equally obvious allusion to our total dependence upon our Creator for life and health.
 
Psalm 92: “Lord, it is good to give thanks to You.” This psalm extols the importance of giving thanks and praise to God, proclaiming His kindness and faithfulness. We are once again reminded, as in the first reading, that faithful and obedient people will flourish, dwelling in the Kingdom of God, both on Earth and in Heaven. This is a wonderfully upbeat psalm, rejoicing about the fruitfulness, even in old age of those who live justly and obediently, in conformity to God’s Covenant. It’s a joyful meditation to consider the spiritual fruitfulness we’ve witnessed in elder members of our parishes and families who have faithfully lived  and borne witness to our faith.
 
2 Cor 5:6-10: Today, St. Paul celebrates the courage of those making choices to live out their professed faith in obedience and with integrity and sincerity. Paul’s message reflects the temporary and testing nature of our earthly journey; acknowledging that we aspire to please God as we know that when we die, we will meet Him as our Judge. There’s an emphasis in this reading on how our choices of how we behave or conduct ourselves on earth will affect and help decide where we will spend eternity… in Heaven if we’re obedient and faithful; or in Hell if we turn away from God in disobedience.
 
Mark 4:26-34:  In today’s Gospel, Mark speaks about the coming Kingdom of God with great confidence. The impression is that the man may have some part or role in planting the seed, but that God governs its growth; making the plant flourish whether the man is awake or asleep. The eternal watchfulness and protection of God over us is suggested here, as is, once again, our total dependence upon God for life itself and all of our needs. This passage and the mustard seed parable combine to form a powerful and persuasive invitation to trust in God’s Providence and know that the Kingdom of God is a Divine achievement and not a human accomplishment.
 
Ponder this clear message of hope that the Kingdom of God will be fulfilled and will be victorious. We will face tribulations as we are now and perhaps even worse in the future; but… we are promised a happy ending… the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom and the Heavenly restoration of our Earth. Let’s heed the warnings about obediently living the laws of our faith, but let’s also live in joyful hope for the coming Kingdom!