THE KINGDOM GROWS QUIETLY
Introduction
We hear for the first time that the “Hebrews” for whom this letter was destined had to undergo persecution and various difficulties for following Christ. The author encourages them vividly to persevere in their faith, for God is faithful to his promises.
The kingdom of God does not irrupt in our human world with extraordinary signs and power. It is a patient, modest growth, beginning with a tiny seed in the personal salvation history of every person, in the salvation history of humankind. It is constantly threatened by sin, which is the refusal to grow.
Heb 10:32-39
Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.
It won’t be long now, he’s on the way;
he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy.
But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
Mk 4:26-34
Then Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows—he has no idea how it happens. The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. When the grain is fully formed, he reaps—harvest time!
“How can we picture God’s kingdom? What kind of story can we use? It’s like an acorn. When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge oak tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it.” With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when he spoke. When he was alone with his disciples, he went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots.
Prayer
Patient God,
curb our impatience when we try to impose
your truth and justice and peace
in a world and even a Church
not yet disposed to welcome them.
In our helplessness and discouragement,
may we come to accept
that all true growth comes from you.
We can only plant the seed:
make it bloom into a mighty tree that shelters many.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Reflection:
27 January 2023
Hebrews 10: 32-39
Always remember your original love for the Lord
The first reading from Hebrews explains how at times, the road of faith is hard. The author once again repeats his exhortation to the Hebrew Christians not to give up on the faith to which they gave such strong witness in the past. He asks them to remember the days when they first heard and “received the light” – the enlightenment. This term “enlightenment” is an ancient metaphor for baptism.
People who face persecutions or opposition to their practice of faith would understand this passage better. The early Christian Community had to go through many trials and difficulties, often times being “publicly exposed to abuse and persecution.” But, they withstood those trials courageously and encouraged and strengthened one another to remain faithful to their original convictions.
The author reminds the Hebrew Christians that it is not time now for them to give up on their original faith and confidence, which brought such great rewards in their life in faith. Now they need a spirit of endurance and perseverance in their faithfulness to the Lord so that, having carried out God’s will in every way, they will receive the reward that awaits them.
Our faith journey may not be really that difficult in the place and time we are living. We may not be facing “public abuse and affliction,” or imprisonment or confiscation of property that is described in the reading from Hebrews. The Letter encourages us today to always remember the original passion and faith experience we too had as we came to know the Lord and not to waver in faith especially when faced with trails and pains.
Despite the hardships the promise of “possessing eternal life” encouraged the early Christian community – the original readers of the Letter to the Hebrews. The Parable of the Mustard Seed in today’s gospel from Mark explains this difficult faith journey of the disciples of Jesus.
We, too, must continue to move ever forward, remaining faithful to the core of the Gospel message.