11TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME B
COMMUNITY OF CREATION
MK 4: 26-34
MESSAGE
When was the last time you thought of God as nature-lover? Well, that’s who he is! The Bible tells us that before he even made humanity, the Lord created a garden! In today’s Gospel, the Lord Jesus shows a lively interest in and a keen observation of nature that many people in his time did not have. He uses examples from nature to illustrate his teaching on the Kingdom of God. In fact, he uses nature images also to describe himself (remember, the vine and the branches, the hen and her chicks, the light of the world). What God would be so sensitive to a farmer’s crops, harvest time, and a mustard seed, if not the God who knew these things intimately because he is their Creator too?
Today, nature takes its revenge on humanity. If not the ever stronger and more destructive typhoons on rainy days, then it is the incredibly high heat index we experienced this summer. Through the centuries, we humans have forgotten that we are not the only creatures of God; that plants, animals, rivers, mountains, insects, and rocks are also his beloved creatures. In fact, they were created even before God thought of us! It is time to take the cue from the Lord Jesus, who loves and values the place of nature in God’s Kingdom.
REFLECT
This week, pause for a while and “reconcile” with the nature around you. Take a walk and observe trees, plants, birds, animals, and insects of all kinds. Think of the ways God sustains your life through the natural world. Think of the ways you can show respect and gratitude to the environment by living simply, clean, and responsible. Remember that God is the lover of nature and friend of all his creatures!
