Patience, Faith and Growth: Spiritual Lessons from the Mustard Seed

Ever feel like the little things you do don't really matter or make an impact? Jesus had a different perspective, which is unpacked in this week's Your Catholic Corner podcast.

Host Julie South examines the biblical readings for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, making connections between the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel and one of Jesus' parables that may change how you view your spiritual efforts.

The readings pair Ezekiel's vision of a small shoot growing into a mighty cedar tree with Jesus' parable about the Kingdom of God being like a tiny mustard seed that becomes the largest plant around, providing shelter for birds.

Julie breaks down how these passages are linked through the theme of something small and seemingly insignificant blossoming into something great and life-giving. She explains how they challenge our assumptions about how God works and what His Kingdom looks like.

The takeaway? Don't underestimate the power of humble beginnings and modest actions done with faith. God can nurture and grow them into something beautiful that provides refuge for others.

Julie's down-to-earth reflections will renew your perspective on:

1) Having patience as you play your part in the growth of God's Kingdom, trusting that He brings the increase.

2) Not writing off situations or people who seem small or unimportant, because God specialises in making greatness out of little things.

3) Doing the simple acts of service, justice and faithfulness asked of you, knowing God can multiply their impact in ways you can't foresee.

If you've ever doubted that your ordinary efforts for God really matter, this podcast will inspire you to stay faithful in the small things, believing that God can transform them into something extraordinary.

BIBLE READINGS:

• Ezekiel 17:22-24 
• 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 
• Mark 4:26-34

REFERENCES:

Benedictine Monks
Dr Scott Hahn

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Transcript

Welcome to your Catholic Corner - I'm your show host, Julie South. 

Your Catholic Corner helps Catholics spiritually prepare for each Sunday's Mass starting midweek each week.  You can listen to your Catholic Corner at yourcatholiccorner.com. 

Today we're praying from the books of Ezekiel, Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians and more from the Gospel of Mark.   

In Catholic Speak we’re getting ready for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year B.

We’ll start by looking at the typological connection between the Old Testament passage – Ezekiel– and the New Testament passage – the gospel of Mark to get an understanding of why the Catholic church chose these particular passages to be read together, then we’ll pray together from these readings and finally I’ll share my thoughts … my nudges … on what I hear God saying to me … my reflections.

Remember, that when two or more are gathered in Jesus’ name – like we are now with you and me – he is here with us.

Today, we’re reading from Ezekiel 17:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, and Mark 4:26-34.

 TYPOLOGICAL CONNECTION

Now let's have a top level look at the biblical typology we have happening on the 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time in Year B -  and why these bible readings were specifically chosen by the Catholic Church for this particular Sunday. 

 Remember, "typology" refers to when a person, event or thing —usually from the Bible's Old Testament—foreshadows someone or something or an event - in the New Testament.

The Catholic Church has paired the Ezekiel 17: 22-24 passage with the Gospel from Mark 4: 26-34 for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B to draw a typological connection between the two.

According to the Benedictine Monks – I’ll put links in the show notes for you to this website - the connection between Ezekiel and Mark's readings lies in the metaphors they use of things growing and changing. 

In Ezekiel, God promises to take a small branch from a cedar tree and plant it on a high mountain. There, it’ll grow into a big, noble cedar tree that provides shelter for birds. Similarly, in Mark's Gospel, Jesus tells a story about a tiny mustard seed that grows into a large plant, providing shade and shelter for birds. 

Both readings give the idea that something small and unimportant can become great and provide a safe place.

http://benedictinemonks.co.uk/wp-content-old/uploads/2013/10/Homily-OT-11th-Sunday-Year-B-2015.pdf

Another connection is that both readings challenge what people normally expect. In Ezekiel's time, a big cedar tree showed how great and glorious Israel would be in the future. But in Jesus' story, he uses a tiny mustard seed to picture God's Kingdom. This juxtaposed comparison would have caught people off guard and made them question their usual ideas.

Further, there’s also a connection in how both readings show God's work of making things right in unexpected ways. In a way, Jesus' stories are like God's jokes on people - they go against our assumptions of how God might be - and make us question the normal way of thinking. 

In Ezekiel, God's promise of change and renewal comes from planting a small branch. And in the mustard seed story, God's Kingdom grows from something very small and seemingly unimportant.

If we look to Dr Scott Hahn, his emphasis likes in how both these readings show God's work of making things right. 

The cedar tree in Ezekiel represents God working in the world and Israel's future greatness. 

In Mark's Gospel, Jesus uses the mustard seed story to say God's Kingdom starts small but will grow and provide shelter for all. Dr Hahn suggests these readings invite us to trust God's care and have faith in the transforming power of His work.

https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/sunday-bible-reflections/tree-of-righteousness-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-eleventh-sunday-in-ordinary-time/ 

I hope these typological insights help us better understand the connection between Ezekiel and Mark's readings. The readings highlight ideas of growth, change, and how God works in unexpected ways to make things right. 

They challenge our usual thoughts and call us to have faith in small, humble beginnings that God uses to bring His Kingdom. 

As we pray on these readings maybe we can each be encouraged to trust God's plan and be open to the surprising ways He works in our lives.  Let’s pray together:

First reading | Ezekiel 17:22-24 | I will plant a shoot on the high mountain of Israel

The Lord says this:

‘From the top of the cedar,

from the highest branch I will take a shoot

and plant it myself on a very high mountain.

I will plant it on the high mountain of Israel.

It will sprout branches and bear fruit,

and become a noble cedar.

Every kind of bird will live beneath it,

every winged creature rest in the shade of its branches.

And every tree of the field will learn that I, the Lord, am the one

who stunts tall trees and makes the low ones grow,

who withers green trees and makes the withered green.

I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it.’

Second reading | 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 | We want to be exiled from the body and make our home with the Lord

We are always full of confidence when we remember that to live in the body means to be exiled from the Lord, going as we do by faith and not by sight – we are full of confidence, I say, and actually want to be exiled from the body and make our home with the Lord. Whether we are living in the body or exiled from it, we are intent on pleasing him. For all the truth about us will be brought out in the law court of Christ, and each of us will get what he deserves for the things he did in the body, good or bad.

Gospel | Mark 4:26-34 | The kingdom of God is a mustard seed growing into the biggest shrub of all

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’

He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’

Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.

What was God saying to you?  Remember that what God is saying to me, might not be what God is saying to you because he speaks to each of us differently…

First Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24 Takeaway: Have hope that God can bring new life and growth from small or humble beginnings. Just as God promises to make a tender shoot grow into a majestic tree, we should not lose hope in seemingly insignificant situations or people, as God can nurture and transform them into something great.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 Takeaway: Live by faith and be guided by the desire to please God, knowing that one day we must all render an account before Christ. Though we live by imperfect human vision now, we should walk by faith, aiming to do what is pleasing to the Lord in anticipation of judgment.

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34
Takeaway: Have patience and faith as you work for the Kingdom of God, allowing it to grow in God's time. Just as the seed sprouts and grows on its own accord, the Kingdom advances through small acts of faith, service and justice which may seem humble now but will one day bear an abundant harvest.

In summary: Ezekiel gives hope in God's life-giving power from tiny beginnings. 2 Corinthians calls us to live by faith to please God, in view of judgment. The Gospel invites patience as we humbly participate in growing God's Kingdom.

What about you?   What was God saying to you…?

I hope you found all this interesting and helpful… I hope this podcast helps you prepare and maybe even understand just a teeny tiny insy winsy dinky bit better the wonderful word of God and the catholic faith.

Thank you for spending the last 15 minutes or so of your life with God and me.   

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 Wherever you are, I pray that God's glass of love overflows in your heart and your life, and that when you’re ready – you’re able to accept God's invitation to you to join him to share in Holy Communion at your local parish. 

And finally, I'd like to say thank you to the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who helped me bring this podcast to you today. 

This is Julie South signing off until next week - peace be with you - God bless.