ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Also Read: Mass Readings for 13 June 2021
First Reading: Ezekiel 17: 22-24
Flourishing
All the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord, I bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken, I will accomplish it. (24)
Ezekiel is commissioned by God and sent to the rebellious Israelites. (Ez 2:3) In this context then, they are being warned here for their iniquities. There is nothing impossible for God. Therefore, what was once bountiful, now is being dried up! A flourishing nation is being warned about its rebellion with dire consequences. Whereas, what was once parched is being renewed into a high tree!
Are we a rebellious people? Are there any countries today that are being rebellious? We must take heed, we are being warned here today; by God himself!
On the other hand, do we sense certain aridity about us and around us? There is hope for us in this word of God. There is a new awakening in the Spirit, a new rising that is birthing a whole new generation, a new nation of God!
Prayer: Oh that today you would listen to his voice, harden not your hearts! Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 92: 2-3, 13-14, 15-16
Renewal
In old age they still produce fruit, they are always green and full of sap. (14)
What was once dry is being renewed. When God provides, even the old are revived! The sap of the Lord is his joy in his subjects. For nothing is impossible with God! The righteous flourish (2) in the Lord’s kingdom. His kingdom is here!
Second Reading: Second Corinthians 5: 6-10
The New Rising
For we walk by faith and not by sight. (7)
Yes, as Christians, Catholics, and disciples of Christ we are called to walk by faith. This is a journey, where the first step must be taken without seeing the whole road!
For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil. (10)
All that we do in these earthly bodies of ours, beginning with our thoughts and intentions are subject to the greater law of God. We are born of God and let not the world deceive us about this fact! Then, as we walk in His Light, remaining still in our earthy form; we are bound to face darts from the jealous one! The former angel of light, now deemed to prowl the dust because of his pride cannot help but remain jealous of us the sons and daughters of God! Therefore, he comes with all his might, enticing us into his ways. A very real and spiritual force is working against the people of God today. And not for any small reason! If this one had the audacity to go before God and fight for the body of Moses, we must imagine his fight against us little mortal beings.
Sure, we are ravaged by a devouring lion each day, but our stripes and wounds are covered each night as we rest in the Lord. Every morning brings a new rising in the Lord, as we forge our way to the Holy One of God. Amen!
Gospel: Mark 4: 26-34
The Fruitful Seed
The earth produces of itself…(28)
Does it really? If it is not the finger of God in the seed, the soil, and the harvest, will it produce of its own? No, it will not! Therefore the faith that we have is itself a gift from God. To be called, to hear, and to listen to his word are God’s own mercies upon us, his meandering people.
(The kingdom of God) is like a mustard seed… (31)
For any good work that flourishes, must have the hand of God guiding it! The birds that flock to the branches of this flourishing tree will surely find, shelter and refuge! The comfort and peace in knowing the people of God is by itself an assurance of God’s work in them. We will know them by their works! For example, God is the Creator, that is why He created the earth. Similarly, when a truly blessed one finds water in the desert, he will go out and share it with others in the desert with him. Then, like the birds, animals, and humans are quenched by the water shared by this one human; the kingdom of God is spread further. Therefore his actions, attest to the kingdom of God dwelling in him.
Prayer: We have been blessed today in the hearing and sharing of the word of God, may we in turn be the blessing to others. Amen
