14.6.15 The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time  (Year B)

This week a little liturgy looks at imagery used to talk about the Kingdom of God and our lives as Christians.  We are reminded that small things grow into great things.  I hope you find something useful this week.

First Reading
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Ezeikiel says that the Lord says he will take a branch from the top of the cedar tree and plant it on the high mountain of Israel where it will become a tree for birds to shelter in.  The Lord has the power to determine which trees wither and which thrive.

Psalm 91
It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.

Second Reading
2 Corinthians 5:6-10
St Paul reminds us that when we live in this life we are not fully with Christ and rely on faith because we cannot see God.   Although we look forward to being completely with God, even in this life we are keen to please him.

Gospel
Mark 4:26-34
Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is a bit like the experience of growing a crop.  The seed is sown then the crop grows and the sower turns into a reaper at harvest time.  He also compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed which is one of the smallest seeds but grows into one of the biggest shrubs.
St Mark tells us that Jesus used many parables to explain things to his disciples.

Activities

In the first reading we see a cedar tree growing that will allow the birds of the air to shelter in its shade.  
Draw a cedar tree with some birds sheltering in its shade: 








In the Gospel we hear about a sower sewing seed then watching the crop grow. 
Draw a seed then an ear of grain:








We also hear about a tiny mustard seed growing into a big tree.  
Draw a mustard seed then a big tree:






Fill in the gaps in the passage below:

Jesus used ____________________ to help explain things to his _________________________ .  Today we can read two of these stories in the Gospel written by _____________________.  Jesus uses imagery from the natural world because it is familiar to everyone.  He often chooses to focus on things that grow like seeds growing into grain.  Today we heard the story of a tiny _______________ seed that grows into one of the biggest trees.  Jesus could be saying that we should not judge the importance or power of things by their appearance but by the things that they can achieve.  This parable could also suggest that even if our faith starts off as a small thing it has the potential to become great.  

Make a list of some tiny things that turn out to be very important in our world today:






Other resources and activities

Fr George Smiga's thoughts


I hope you enjoyed the activities today!
Maria