"FIRST IMPRESSIONS" 11TH. SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

Ezekiel 17: 22-24 Psalm 92 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10 Mark 4: 26-34

By: Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:

The Gospel has two parables in it and caution flags must be raised for the preacher. We need to
remember what parables are not before we begin interpreting them. The first tendency we have
when we read a parable is to make it into an allegory; so for example, we try to figure what the
"seed" represents, what the "ground" is and who the farmer might be. Parables are not allegories
even though sometimes in the Scriptures a parable is "explained" later by Christ. Such moments
are the exception. When Jesus "explains" the parable, it is probably a case of the Gospel writer
adding an later interpretation suited for his own community and its particular needs.

Mostly, the parables are not explained in the Gospels because they are stories. Frequently they
are introduced as today's are, with Jesus', "This is how it is with the reign of God." In other
words, Jesus is trying to describe for us what it's like when God is in control of things, or what
it's like when people are living under God's rule. That's what the parables hold for us today, a
way of seeing our lives through another lens, through the lens of the parabi
e. We have our own ways of measuring our lives, we have standards of "success" influenced by
our environment, upbringing and education. But these ways of seeing might even be in
opposition to the way Jesus would have us look at things. The parables reveal Jesus' perspective
and his followers need to give them a listening.

Another approach or tendency we have when we read parables, is to moralize about them, to see
them as instructions for how we should behave. A better way to think of them, is that they are
descriptions of how God behaves and clues for how and where to find God in our lives. Chapter
4, from which these parables were taken, begins with a huge crowd gathering to hear Jesus. The
crowd is so large that Jesus gets into a boat to speak to them in parables and says to them, "Listen
carefully to this." (4:3) That's the disposition we need today, to "listen carefully to this."

The chapter opening says that Jesus spoke these parables to a large crowd and the end of today's
section says he kept explaining things to his disciples privately. Jesus' offer was to anyone who
had ears to hear, but not everyone got his message, in fact, it seems that only a few did. The
parables demand a great deal from us who listen, most basically, they require an attachment to
Jesus, an ability to trust his words and wisdom despite the immediate appearances. To
understand the parables seems to require a previous tie to Jesus through faith in him.

To those who really heard him Jesus seems to be saying in these two parables that the great
enterprise of God, has begun in Jesus— but in small, almost imperceptible ways. These two
parables are called "transitional parables", i.e., something new is happening, and the old is
passing away. God is entering the world. God's reign is breaking in. What kind offeree will it
have with its arrival? We, and Jesus' early followers (and the audience of the Gospel writers)
might want a forceful beginning, a rapid overthrow of the world's powers, immediate signs of
progress and triumph. All this would be very satisfying to us, after all, we who like to watch

spon-ing events, upon coming in on a televised game, ask, "Who's winning?" As a nation, we

pride ourselves on being winners. Our citizens demand that when we act as a nation that we gel

things done, quickly, expediently. We want the evil powers of the world overcome and are less

patient with prolonged engagement. We don't like complex processes that take time, like peace-

making.

We expect God, who is more powerful than any other power on earth, to also be efficient.

Certainly God has it within God's power to get things done. What's taking God so long? Why

do we have to put up with so much for so long? Why aren't we seeing big results in the world

and in our personal lives? Jesus is addressing these questions and our doubts in story form

through these parables.

The first parable, the farmer who scatters seed and goes off, suggests that the beginnings of

God's reign seem small and insignificant, like seed spread on the ground. Notice that the farmer

does a minimum amount of labor, he scatters seed and then forgets about it till harvest time.

Anyone who has planted even a backyard garden knows that's not how a crop gets to grow to

harvest. It takes a lot of work from us all along the process to get fruits from the earth. But

that's not how this parable is told by the Teller of parables. This parable would frustrate

workaholics like us and it is one we need to hear. There are plenty of Bible passages about how

much we have to do; but here is one at least that tells us there is another element at work in the

reign of God, and it is a life force that will reach fruition even when we don't seem to have done

enough to bring it about. This is a consoling parable when we look at the results of our efforts

and wonder, "Just how effective am I?" This parable balances the tendency in us to measure our

efforts and look for proportionate results. The parable seems to promise, that despite our efforts

and our failures and successes, there will be a harvest, it doesn't all depend on us. The first

parable has no doubt in it. We can trust that while we are "scattering seed" there is set in motion

an ineluctable force that will come to fruition.

Today is our Sabbath. The day has ancient roots in the Jewish faith, a day when all labors ceased

and the Word of God was listened to and God was praised. Maybe we need to acknowledge the

Divine's interest in our good works and efforts. Maybe this Eucharist at least, might be a

celebration of Sabbath rest. It could be our chance to renew our faith that God is part of our

efforts, and in fact is in charge of them. We are not in charge. We know that because we get a

parable about seed growing with minimal human involvement, except to scatter and later to reap

a harvest. It's good to know it isn't all in our control; it's good to know another force is present,

causing growth and invested in the results.

If you want to focus on the mustard seed parable: the preacher might invite people to call to

mind those people who planted seeds in our lives that caused surprising results. They might be

those who spoke words at a crucial time in our lives; those, who by their example were models

throughout our lives; those who taught us in school and got us excited about a subject or

vocation; those who taught us to pray, or have faith, etc. These examples certainly are our own

parables of the mustard seed, a small planting, a few words or gestures that had an abundant

harvest in our lives..

Blessings on your preaching,

ONE GOOD BOOK FOR THE PREACHER

QUOTABLE

JUSTICE NOTES

(These weekly quotes may be helpful in your preaching or may also be added to your weekly parish bulletin as a way of informing your faith community on some social issues.)

POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES

"Can you imagine what it's like to have your boy on death row? Can you imagine what it's like to visit him there every Saturday and tell him, 'I love you. I'll see you next week,' when you never know if they're going to call and say, 'He's up next—it's time for his execution."'

----Jeanetter Johnson, Mother of Alan Gell, who was retried and found innocent because prosecutors withheld evidence that might have cleared him of first-degree murder.

[The News and Observer, February 15, 2004, Raleigh, NC]

Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates' names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If you like, tell them you heard about them through North Carolina's, "People of Faith Against the Death Penalty." Thanks, Jude Siciliano, OP

Please write to:........................................

(On death row since )

Central Prison 1300 Western Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27606

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

I get notes from people responding to these reflections. Sometimes they tell how they use "First Impressions" in their ministry and for personal use. Others respond to the reflections, make suggestions and additions. I think our readers would benefit from these additional thoughts. If you drop me a BRIEF note, I will be happy to add your thoughts and reflections to my own. (Judeop@Juno.com)

Our webpage address: http://www.op.org/exchange/

(Where you will find "Preachers' Exchange," which includes "First Impressions" and "Homilias Dominicales," as well as articles, book reviews and quotes pertinent to preaching.)

"Homilias Dominicales"-- these Spanish reflections are written by three friars of the Southern Dominican Province, Leobardo Almazan, Juan Torres, OP , Wilmo Candanedo, OP and two Dominican sisters, Regina Mc Carthy, OP and Doris Regan, OP. Like "First Impressions", "Homilias Dominicales" are a preacher's early reflections on the upcoming Sunday readings and liturgy. So, if you or a friend would like to receive "Homilias Dominicales" drop a note to John Boll, O.P. at: jboll@opsouth.org)

"First Impressions" is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Southern Dominican Province, U.S.A. If you would like "First Impressions" sent weekly to a friend, send a note to John Boll at the above Email address.

If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to Jude Siciliano, O.P., whose address is listed below. Make checks to: Dominican Friars of Raleigh.

Thank you.

Blessings on your preaching,

Jude Siciliano, O.P., Promoter of Preaching, Southern Dominican Province, USA

P.O. Box 12927, Raleigh, N.C. 27605, (919) 833-1893, Email: judeop@juno.com