Coffee With God

Reflection: Mk 4:1-20

In the parable of the sower there is a small detail that immediately draws our attention: lots of seeds got wasted in large quantities in a barren land. The insistence on the waste, failure, and disappointing prospects is an important element of the parable of Jesus. It reflects the reality of the world in which evil appears much stronger, more efficient than good. In most cases the seed does not sprout, that which sprouts does not grow, that which grows is suffocated. Why does this happen? While writing the gospel, Evangelist Mark is addressing the dilemma of the Christian community in Rome – If God is good, why does his Kingdom not grow unchallenged? Through the parable of Jesus, Mark attempts to answer the doubts of his community in Rome. Despite the apparent futility of their preaching ministry, the disciples are to continue their mission of spreading the Word of God just as the sower keeps sowing the seed. The farmer in the parable appears to be working in vain and wasting seeds and his energy. Jesus tells this parable in a difficult moment of his life. In Nazareth, he is rejected, in Capernaum, he is taken as mad, the Pharisees want to kill him, and the disciples abandon him. It just seems that all his preaching has fallen in vain. The conditions are too unfavourable; his word seems destined to die (cf. Mt 11–12). With this parable, Jesus sends a message to his discouraged disciples who doubts the usefulness of the work of Jesus; and the faithful of the community in Rome is reassured of the usefulness of their apostolic mission. Despite all the contradictions and obstacles, God’s word would bear abundant fruit. Contrary to all expectations, the coming of the Messiah was not sensational. It has not changed anything in the people’s social and political life. The Baptist was more famous than him. Jesus disappeared into the ground like a small, weak, almost invisible seed. However, after a short time, this seed has begun to sprout. The Gospel has raised humanity to life and joy. We sometimes doubt the usefulness of proclaiming Jesus in a corrupt world and society; Does it still makes sense to teach catechism to people who do not listen, whose hearts are hardened, who think only about money, entertainment, and cosy living. Are not these evangelizers and catechists sowing in vain? When such thoughts of doubts and dissuasions arise, profess the faith in the divine power contained in the Word of the Gospel.