The gospel of this Sunday begins with the sentence, “…..and (Jesus) began to teach them using many parables”. Parables hold immense significance in the Bible. They serve as powerful teaching tools, allowing Jesus to convey spiritual truths in relatable and accessible ways. These short stories often feature everyday scenarios and relatable characters, making them memorable and impactful for believers. Through parables, Jesus addressed themes related to the kingdom of heaven, love, forgiveness, and human nature. By using parables, Jesus connected emotionally with his audience, transmitted cultural values, and inspired action. Their simplicity and embedded messages continue to shape our understanding of God’s kingdom and our relationship with Him. By their very nature, parables are simple but effective teaching aids. They wrap deep truths in everyday stories and make complex ideas accessible and comprehensible for all listeners. This teaching method isn’t only timeless but also transcends cultural and linguistic barriers so that the teachings resonate across different societies and eras.

Mark records one of the first parables that Jesus used to convey His message to the hearers: The parables of the seed and mustard seed. Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a seed – small, simple, and obscure but once it is planted on the ground, it will germinate, grow and become huge. We may not know how but for sure, it will happen. More than two thousand years ago, Jesus started a small community of believers in an obscure place somewhere in Israel. When He was arrested, crucified and died, His disciples were scattered and confused. However, as soon as He rose again on the third day and appeared before them, they regrouped. On Pentecost Day, they were empowered by the Holy Spirit. From then on, that tiny community became a force that is present in all countries today.

Likewise, our spiritual growth as individuals mirrors that of the growth of a community of believers. Once the seed of the teachings of Jesus is planted in our hearts, the growth process is initiated and transformation starts. It happens little by little, in stages, and as long as we nourish it through prayers and service, we will put forth “branches” and bear fruit.

There are no shortcuts to spiritual growth. Much like the growth of a plant, it will be an organic process. Along the way, there will be storms and other problems but the growth process will continue. Sometimes we ask why it seems that we are not growing at all. The key is patience and perseverance.

Amid all the claims about our achievements, even in our belonging to God and His Kingdom, the Lord tells us certain fundamental truths about our life through today’s readings: what happens in us is not our work or our achievements, but the Lord’s work in us. In John 3:27, we read: “No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven.”

As we constantly try to return to our God, let us glorify our God, who can bring the seed of His Kingdom into us to its full fruition. This fruitfulness goes beyond our calculation and imagination: “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21).