Gospel Reflection for the Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B.

Lord, it is good to give thanks to you. (Psalm 91) 

Jesus teaches the crowds what the kingdom of God is like: sown seed sprouting, growing, coming to harvest. Or a tiny seed growing into the tallest tree of all, offering birds shelter for their young. Since we are not privileged to be taught personally, like Jesus' closest disciples, we must be content to seat ourselves among the crowds and listen.  We have the advantage of over two thousand years of history, unlike the earliest hearers,  so we know that nations and peoples have listened to Jesus words, have believed them and have gained eternal life with him in heaven. We also have the privilege of meeting the post-Resurrection Jesus in the Sacraments of the Church. Jesus asks of us to persevere in a day by day slow growth in faith and in the mysterious ways of God it will blossom into a source of life and shelter for ourselves and others.