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1111thth Sunday in the Ordinary Time Sunday in the Ordinary Time

14 June 201514 June 2015In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgyIn preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy

As aid in focusing our homilies and sharingAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

11stst Reading: Ezekiel 17: 22-24 Reading: Ezekiel 17: 22-24Tender shoot

22 Thus says the Lord GOD: I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot, and plant it on a high and lofty mountain; 23 on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.

God to be known24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, bring low the high tree, lift high the lowly tree, wither up the green tree, and make the withered tree bloom. As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do.

A simple outline!

The focus is on knowing God.

11stst Reading: Ezekiel 17: 22-24 Reading: Ezekiel 17: 22-24Tender shoot

22 Thus says the Lord GOD: I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot, and plant it on a high and lofty mountain; 23 on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.

God to be known24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, bring low the high tree, lift high the lowly tree, wither up the green tree, and make the withered tree bloom. As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do.

CommentaryCommentaryBackground: The prophet Background: The prophet prophesied in Babylonian Exile prophesied in Babylonian Exile (586-539 BC).(586-539 BC).In v.22, God promises to plant a In v.22, God promises to plant a tender shoot of a cedar tree on tender shoot of a cedar tree on a mountain of Israel.a mountain of Israel.In v.23, God promises that this In v.23, God promises that this tender shoot will be useful:tender shoot will be useful:– Will bear fruitWill bear fruit– Will become greatWill become great– Birds will make their nest in it.Birds will make their nest in it.

V.24 gives the reason why he is V.24 gives the reason why he is doing this:doing this:– That the Lord who is in charge That the Lord who is in charge

will be known.will be known.

Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst reading reading

God is giving us hope.God is giving us hope.

He carefully plans for us.He carefully plans for us.

We will certainly benefit from his We will certainly benefit from his plan.plan.

He is in-charge of our future.He is in-charge of our future.

We bank on his promise that what he We bank on his promise that what he has planted will soon come to has planted will soon come to fruition.fruition.

Resp. Ps 92:2-3. 13-14. 15-16Resp. Ps 92:2-3. 13-14. 15-16R. (cf. 2a) R. (cf. 2a) Lord, it is good to give thanks to Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.you.2 It is good to give thanks to the LORD,2 It is good to give thanks to the LORD,to sing praise to your name, Most High,to sing praise to your name, Most High,3 To proclaim your kindness at dawn3 To proclaim your kindness at dawnand your faithfulness throughout the night.and your faithfulness throughout the night.

13 Like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.13 Like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.14 They that are planted in the house of the 14 They that are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

15 They shall bear fruit even in old age;15 They shall bear fruit even in old age;vigorous and sturdy shall they be,vigorous and sturdy shall they be,16 Declaring how just is the LORD,16 Declaring how just is the LORD,my rock, in whom there is no wrong.my rock, in whom there is no wrong.

Resp. Ps 92:2-3. 13-14. 15-16Resp. Ps 92:2-3. 13-14. 15-16R. (cf. 2a) R. (cf. 2a) Lord, it is good to Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.give thanks to you.

2 It is good to give thanks to 2 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High,your name, Most High,3 To proclaim your kindness 3 To proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night.throughout the night.

13 Like a cedar of Lebanon 13 Like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.shall he grow.14 They that are planted in 14 They that are planted in the house of the LORD shall the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our flourish in the courts of our God.God.

15 They shall bear fruit even 15 They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be,sturdy shall they be,16 Declaring how just is the 16 Declaring how just is the LORD, my rock, in whom there LORD, my rock, in whom there is no wrong.is no wrong.

CommentaryThe psalm is a thanksgiving psalm.V.2 expresses thanksgiving in 3 different ways:– To give thanks– To sing praise– To proclaim

In vv.13-14, God makes the people, who fear God, grow strong and flourish.Vv.15-16 indicate also what happens to them:– Productive even in old age– Vigorous and sturdy– They affirm God’s justice and

righteousness.

Reflections on the PsalmReflections on the Psalm

Like the psalmist, we must praise God.It is always a right thing to do.Those who praise God and fear him bear much fruit, are not easily shaken, and continue to be productive.Are you useful even in old age?

22ndnd Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10 Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-106 We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. 9 Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

The focus is walking by faith.

22ndnd Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10 Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10Walking by faith

6 We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. 9 Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away.

Retribution10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

A simple outline!

22ndnd Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10 Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10Walking by faith

6 We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. 9 Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away.

Retribution10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

CommentarySt. Paul, the author, defends himself and his fellow missionaries from false accusations: being insincere.In vv.6-7, Paul shares where their courage is coming from: they walk with faith.V.8 speaks of their courage which is translated into abandonment of the worldly values (flesh) and espousing heaven.V.9 speaks of their goal: to please God everywhere.V.10 speaks of the last judgment, when each one receives his/her reward or punishment.

Reflections of the 2Reflections of the 2ndnd reading readingWe draw courage from faith.We draw courage from faith.We are not afraid to decide for God, We are not afraid to decide for God, when we walk with (by) faith.when we walk with (by) faith.We should rather be afraid to meet We should rather be afraid to meet the end, in the time of retribution.the end, in the time of retribution.God rewards the good; he punishes God rewards the good; he punishes evil doers.evil doers.Discover the meaning of what is Discover the meaning of what is pleasing to God.pleasing to God.

Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-34Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-341st Parable: Sowing of Seeds

26 Jesus said to the crowds, "This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.“

2nd Parable: Mustard Seed 30 He said, "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.“

Narrator’s Commentary (author)33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

A simple outline!

Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-34Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-341st Parable: Sowing of Seeds

26 Jesus said to the crowds, "This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.“

2nd Parable: Mustard Seed 30 He said, "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.“

CommentaryActually, our two parables come after the parables of the sower and of the lamp. They are the 3rd and 4th in the series of parables in Mk 4.The two parables tell us how the kingdom of God looks like.It is not a finished product, but a long process of growth and development.Therefore, they must develop patience.The 1st parable ends with a harvest (judgment). V.29The 2nd parable describes the humble beginning of God’s kingdom and its great end.The kingdom of God brings hope (food, 1st parable, and relief, 2nd parable).

Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-34Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-34Narrator’s

Commentary (author)33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

V.33 tells us that Jesus (as V.33 tells us that Jesus (as a rabbi) taught to his a rabbi) taught to his disciples by using disciples by using parables, which can be parables, which can be understood by them.understood by them.Those parables were Those parables were based on their own based on their own observation or experience. observation or experience. They were not imported They were not imported stories or foreign stories or foreign concepts.concepts.V.34 tells us that Jesus V.34 tells us that Jesus explained the kingdom of explained the kingdom of God to his disciples with God to his disciples with the use of parables. the use of parables.

Reflections on the Gospel ReadingReflections on the Gospel ReadingTo explain God’s kingdom (mysteries), we need to To explain God’s kingdom (mysteries), we need to employ stories understandable to our listeners.employ stories understandable to our listeners.We should use local images, or something We should use local images, or something imaginable by our audience, to develop the virtue imaginable by our audience, to develop the virtue of patience.of patience.How can we be patient to people whom we would How can we be patient to people whom we would like to change?like to change?Without patience, we cannot teach God’s Without patience, we cannot teach God’s kingdom.kingdom.Patience pays back.Patience pays back.

Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The The first readingfirst reading talks about the tender talks about the tender shoot becoming big and great and useful.shoot becoming big and great and useful.

The The psalmpsalm talks about praising God for his talks about praising God for his great works, for it is the right thing to do.great works, for it is the right thing to do.

The The second readingsecond reading talks about the talks about the purpose of our lives: to please God.purpose of our lives: to please God.

The The gospelgospel talks about God’s kingdom, its talks about God’s kingdom, its humble beginning and great end.humble beginning and great end.

We must develop patience.

How to develop your homily and sharingHow to develop your homily and sharing

Do you have patience?Do you have patience?

Is there a short cut to success?Is there a short cut to success?

Do you know how to wait, even if it Do you know how to wait, even if it takes so long?takes so long?

The parables of the gospel teach us The parables of the gospel teach us about the kingdom of God.about the kingdom of God.

In the process of its growth, they In the process of its growth, they teach us patience, like the farmers teach us patience, like the farmers and missionaries.and missionaries.

If we are involved in God’s work If we are involved in God’s work (kingdom of God), we must have (kingdom of God), we must have patience.patience.

We don’t violate nature when we have We don’t violate nature when we have patience.patience.Alas, patience is not in the world’s agenda, Alas, patience is not in the world’s agenda, especially nowadays when we want instant especially nowadays when we want instant food, quick decisions, and delivery of food, quick decisions, and delivery of services.services.It wants to hasten the growth of plants It wants to hasten the growth of plants through fertilizers.through fertilizers.It wants to harvest chicken within a It wants to harvest chicken within a shorter period of time, by feeding what is shorter period of time, by feeding what is unnatural to them.unnatural to them.Hi technology has conditioned our hearts Hi technology has conditioned our hearts and minds for quick results.and minds for quick results.It is all for the sake of more money.It is all for the sake of more money.

When we deal with God’s kingdom, it When we deal with God’s kingdom, it is all different.is all different.

The missionary or, church worker, The missionary or, church worker, should not lose heart when his or her should not lose heart when his or her efforts are not rewarded right away, efforts are not rewarded right away, when he/she does not feel the when he/she does not feel the change or effect of his/her sacrifices.change or effect of his/her sacrifices.

We cannot dictate when people should We cannot dictate when people should change.change.

The parables tell us that we should not be The parables tell us that we should not be discouraged if nothing seems to happen discouraged if nothing seems to happen inspite of all the ongoing formations, inspite of all the ongoing formations, meetings, workshops, seminars, practices, meetings, workshops, seminars, practices, etc.etc.

We should continue sowing the seeds.We should continue sowing the seeds.

The little things that we do will bear fruit.The little things that we do will bear fruit.

We may not see that happening in our We may not see that happening in our lifetime.lifetime.

But the gospel is clear about the end.But the gospel is clear about the end.The slow will move fast, produce many. The slow will move fast, produce many. (sowing of the seed, gospel)(sowing of the seed, gospel)

The small will become big. The small will become big. (mustard seed, (mustard seed, gospel)gospel)

The seemingly insignificant (frail) will The seemingly insignificant (frail) will become significant (strong). become significant (strong). (tender shoot (tender shoot becoming a majestic cedar, 1becoming a majestic cedar, 1stst reading) reading)

There is judgment for those who can’t wait There is judgment for those who can’t wait yet can’t produce. yet can’t produce. (2(2ndnd reading) reading)

In our churches, how many of us have In our churches, how many of us have patience for God’s interests?patience for God’s interests?– Those who don’t easily give up.Those who don’t easily give up.– Those who continue working, teaching, Those who continue working, teaching,

sacrificing, convincing, cajoling, etc.sacrificing, convincing, cajoling, etc.

We easily give up on the slow learners.We easily give up on the slow learners.

We become impatient with those who We become impatient with those who have impaired hearing or sight.have impaired hearing or sight.

We talk against those who come late.We talk against those who come late.

Of course, we should not tolerate Of course, we should not tolerate undue or unnecessary delays due to undue or unnecessary delays due to playfulness, negligence, low self-playfulness, negligence, low self-confidence (it is expensive), confidence (it is expensive), like a like a student who wants to take 4 courses only in a student who wants to take 4 courses only in a semester when he can take 6 or 7.semester when he can take 6 or 7.

We do not condone sluggishness, We do not condone sluggishness, which leads us to nowhere.which leads us to nowhere.We, missionaries and lay faithful, We, missionaries and lay faithful, must show we have hope.must show we have hope.

The The eucharisteucharist is a sign of God’s is a sign of God’s patience and love for us.patience and love for us.

The The eucharisteucharist gives us courage to gives us courage to wait and to be patient.wait and to be patient.

In the In the eucharisteucharist, we await with , we await with patience the coming of the Lord, who patience the coming of the Lord, who will reward us according to our will reward us according to our deeds.deeds.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and GraceImpatienceImpatience

Instant successInstant success

Instant moneyInstant money

Belittling little Belittling little thingsthings

BullyingBullying

PatiencePatience

EnduranceEndurance

HopefulHopeful

Can waitCan wait

ProductiveProductive

Respects human Respects human naturenature

Understands how Understands how God’s grace worksGod’s grace works

Thank you for your patience in waiting.

Suggested SongsSuggested Songs

If you want your dream to beIf you want your dream to be

Little ThingsLittle Things