St James Catholic Church

Today’s readings are especially timely at this point of the year.  Two of the passages concern nature, specifically the growth of large trees and plants.  As   we head into summer, we can appreciate the shade from a large tree.  On this Father’s Day, a sturdy tree that provides shelter and comfort may remind us of our own father, grandfather, godfather and other male caretakers in our lives.  Like trees and plants during the summer, those who love and care for us, the seeds we sow and nurture grow slowly and steadily, producing fruit that builds the Kingdom of God in our midst.  We praise and thank God and call down his blessings on all our male caretakers living and deceased!

In this ordinary time of the liturgical year Jesus teaches us through parables.  There’s a reason for this.  It enables the common person to understand and remember what he is trying to teach.  It’s not like people could write down what he said and highlight the important parts to memorize.  Through parables, Jesus was able to give us lessons we can both understand and remember.  Because the subjects of these parables were seeds, plants, fruit, harvest, things we can relate to, we are able to understand the meaning.  Every growing season we can see land yielding fruit.  Over time, we see tiny seeds grow into huge shrubs.  Because these are stories, they are memorable.

We see none of this growth, it happens underground, a mystery invisible to our eyes.  Here is another way this is like the Kingdom of God.  We cannot always see how the work we do is building up the kingdom.  We cannot see the destination of our journey to the kingdom.  But we put our trust in Jesus, whom we trust will show us the way.  Like the living thing inside the seed, we trust that we will blossom and bear fruit.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob