March 20                                                                 Mark 4:21-34

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We periodically ask ourselves, "Why is this in the Bible?"  It seems a good question to ask about this group of teachings.  We have often heard "don't hide your lamp under a bushel basket," and we easily recall the mustard seed, even though it is not the smallest seed.   How do we make these sayings fresh?

Here, in the midst of this reading, Mark pulls back the curtain to offer us insight into Jesus's intention.  Jesus speaks in simple stories, familiar to the crowds.  We catch a reference to the Proverbs of Solomon which say, "Keep your father's precept... For the precept is a lamp, the teaching is a light..." (Proverbs 6: 20, 23).  And we hear a hint of Ecclesiasticus, which says, "Wisdom concealed, and treasure undiscovered, what use is either of these?" (Ecclesiasticus 20: 30).  Mark tells us Jesus is speaking to the crowds in a style they can respond to.   The crowds are at the beginning of their growth in the spirit.  Jesus speaks to the disciples beyond the simple stories, Mark tells us.  Jesus explains everything to them as they grow in faith and wisdom. 

Jesus is asking the disciples, and us, to plant these simple stories.  He is reminding them, and us, that when we carry the Good News forward into the world, it will grow; it is destined to grow.  The harvest will come when the simple stories blossom into understanding and enlighten the world.  As our mosaic reminds us, we come as we are, we grow in faith, and we go forth together...

Pat Nolan

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I love how these three parables use everyday objects and experiences to explain and communicate faith, the Kingdom of God and Jesus to an audience that needed to feel and understand something that was new and foreign to them.