The Growth of the Kingdom of God and Its Citizenship – the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

 The Gospel Reading (Mark 4:26-34) for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, cycle B, is consisted of two small parables: the parable of the growing seed (vv. 26-29) and the parable of the mustard seed (vv.30-34). And these parables address the Kingdom of God.

The first parable, the parable of the growing seed (vv, 26-29) implies that the Kingdom of God grows out of the Word of God that Jesus has sown. The Kingdom’s growth and development depends on how the Word grows in us and through us, the Church. However, the growth of the Word in and through us is not in our control but works on its own.

Just as even a farmer does not know exactly when each seed sprouts and yield fruits for harvest, according to Jesus, we cannot tell exactly how the Word of God will grow into the Kingdom of God. However, it does not mean that we have no place in the growth of the Kingdom. In fact, we work cooperate with God for the growth of the Kingdom out of its seed, which is the Word.

The way each seed grows is “encrypted” in its unique genetic code, the work of God through the Word is “apocryphal”. By being “apocryphal”, it is hidden but is to be revealed. It is our task to learn the “apocryphal” meaning of the Word, studying the kerygma of Jesus, the Son. This includes studying the parables spoken by Jesus. As we come to know, we can better work with God in facilitating the growth of the Kingdom.

The second parable, the parable of the mustard seed (vv. 30-34) focuses on the character of the growth of the Kingdom. By using a mustard seed for a metaphor in this parable, Jesus wants to emphasize that the Kingdom of God grows out of something very small, perhaps, too small for many to recognize, for a mustard seed is very small. However, the growth of the Kingdom is just as amazing as a tiny mustard seed grows into a very large tree, spreading its branches far to provide shades and dwelling places for many birds.

To an ordinary human cognition, it seems impossible for a seed as small as a mustard seed would grow into an extremely large tree. We would rather think that such a tiny seed only grow into a small tree – too small even for a bird to perch on. This is a typical human stereotypical assumption. And we would say, how can such a tiny mustard seed can grow into such a huge tree to accommodate many girds. The growth of the Kingdom rather defies our typical thinking.

Through this parable of the mustard seed, we may understand how our typical human thinking and assumption can fail to appreciate the seed of the Kingdom and its growth. Perhaps, this lesson is reflected in the fact that many failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah but rather thought of him as a blasphemous possessed man, resulting in condemning him (John 5:10-47, 7:1-11:57). So, in order for us to appreciate how the Kingdom grows from something we may regard as insignificant or too small into the greatest dwelling place for all faithful, we must overcome our human assumption and cognitive biases.  

In summary, the growth of the Kingdom is not in our control as it goes on its own as willed by God. However, we can cooperate with God for the Kingdom’s effective growth into its fullest fruition, as we study and learn the “apocryphal” meaning of the Word, from which the Kingdom grows.  And the way the Kingdom grows is like how a tiny mustard seed grows into a large tree that provides nestling places for many birds. This defies our human mind’s assumption.

The First Reading (Ezekiel 17:22-24) reminds that God is in control of the Kingdom in the parable for Israel. There is an allegory of the Davidic lineage to the cedar. Upon the Babylonian seize of Jerusalem (587BC), the Davidic dynasty in Judah ended. However, Ezekiel 17:22-24 reminds that it does not mean that the royal lineage of David ceased. As the crest of the cedar is plucked off and transplanted on the highest mountain of Israel, God plants the new Davidic shoot in Zion, and this is Jesus, the Christ (i.e. Matthew 1:1-17), to grow fruitful and majestic to benefit many with its great providence (Ezekiel 17:22-23; cf. Isaiah 11:1-9). In this, David is the old cedar and Jesus is the new transplant cedar. And, the Kingdom of God grows according to how this new transplanted cedar grows from its tender shoot into the majestic tree with abundant fruit to benefit many. Also, in the Kingdom, great worldly powers will be humbled, while those who have been  brought lower by them will be lifted high by Jesus, the Son of David, the new cedar crest, the King of the Universe (Ezekiel 17:24; cf. Matthew 19:30; 23:12; Luke 17:5-10).

The Second Reading (2 Corinthians 5:6-10) gives an impression of what it is like to live in the Kingdom. A life in the Kingdom is a life with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5). As citizens of the Kingdom, filled with the Holy Spirit, we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). It means that we do not base our decisions solely on what human cognition and perception but on faith. This way, we can prevent our failure to recognize how something as small as a mustard seed can grow into the majestic Kingdom of God (cf. Mark 4:30-34).

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are courageous and not afraid to die – to leave our bodies because it means to return to the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Because that the Holy Spirit is with us, committed to us, we are aspired to please the Lord and ready to meet Christ the judge with confidence (2 Corinthians 5:9-10; cf. Matthew 25:31-46).

Through Jesus the Christ, with the Holy Spirit fully engaged with us, we are so grateful to God for granting us the citizenship of the Kingdom, and this gratitude of ours is reflected in today’s Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16).

Yes, like the birds that enjoy great benefits provided by the great tree grown out of a tiny mustard seed, we the citizens of the Kingdom of God are blessed with many graces through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Because being the citizens not only comes with benefits but also duties, we strive to cooperate with God for the continuous growth the Kingdom.

What is your part of this collaboration with God for further growth of the Kingdom? How do you unpack the “apocryphal” meaning discerned in the Word sown by Jesus through his kerygma?

Our Kingdom is the Kingdom of God, which grows as how a tiny mustard seed grows into a majestic tree. Our King is Christ, the new cedar crest transplanted by the Father, growing from its tender shoot into the majestic tree with abundant fruition to benefit us. We, as the citizen of the Kingdom, confidently walk by faith, not by sight, because the Holy Spirit is fully engaged with us. And, we are so grateful to God for this citizenship.