Today's Gospel Reading - Sunday, June 17, 2012 with Reflection

1^ST READING - Ezekiel 17:22-24

P S A L M - Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16

R: Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

1 [2] It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praise to your name, Most High, 2 [3] to proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night. (R) 12 [13]The just one shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. 13 [14] They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. (R) 14 [15] They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be, 15 [16]declaring how just is the Lord, my rock, in

whom there is no wrong. (R)

2^ND READING - 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to Him will live for ever.

Mark 4:26-34

26 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” 30 He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

SABBATH

SPEAKING OF POTENTIAL To illustrate the Kingdom of God, Jesus uses images that speak to us of our potential to be active members in its mission. It is quite clear that to have faith in God is all about having a personal encounter with Him. Men and women of faith have chosen to allow an encounter with God, giving Him the opportunity to transform their lives. At the heart of the Church’s understanding of the Kingdom of God is the idea of a relationship — each individual with God. Once this relationship is established, it is possible to work on our relationships with one another within the context of our common faith in God. The image of a growing seed used in today’s Gospel highlights the idea of potential. We all know seeds grow into something much bigger. If we allow our relationship with God to grow and mature, this is what we will experience in our lives — a fulfilling relationship within the bounds of the Kingdom of God. Jesus focuses His ministry on forming the 12 disciples He has chosen so that they would carry on His mission once He leaves. God continues to work with us on a one-to-one basis so that we can be formed according to our gifts, talents and calling, making us prepared to contribute to the work of the Kingdom of God. As disciples of Jesus we should seek to learn where our next growth opportunity will be and focus our attention to it. It is up to us to take responsibility for this aspect of our faith and “run with it,” so to speak. Unless we remain pro-active in this regard, we will never grow in our faith. We will forever be looking at people who are growing in discipleship and wondering what they have that we do not have. The answer is simple — the willingness to step out into the unknown and take the risk of trying to discover where God is calling us to serve. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL REFLECTION QUESTIONS: When was the last time you took a risk in your service for the Kingdom of God? Are you willing to take a risk to move forward in your faith? Jesus, help me to learn Your will for my life and have the courage and strength to take the necessary risks to bring Your vision to fruition. St. Joseph Cafasso, pray for us. Do you want to receive this in your email?  To get Bo Sanchez to send it to you personally, log-on to http://kerygmafamily.com. Lots of surprises await.