Pentecost 4B/Proper 6 (Mark 4:26-34)

We hear two parables of Jesus about the kingdom of God or the presence of God within. We might feel like we understand them but don’t. What we’re certain about is that these parables are simply about the kingdom of God, which is the essential focus and goal of Jesus’ ministry. Let’s recall his own words about parables as narrated in St. Mark’s account: 

When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything comes in parables, in order that ‘they may indeed look but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’” (Mark 4:10-12)

The function of his parables serves two purposes. 1) Analogous representation: it points to the kingdom of God analogously, so it presupposes a sense of “what it’s like” and “as if.” 2) Sorting mechanisms: it is to sort out mere curious minds from the minds that have decided to follow Jesus. If one understands his parable, one is in. If not, then out. There are “those inside” and “those outside.” The second purpose also gives us an opportunity to discern how we can creatively “get” the parables in today’s gospel. How are you making sense of Jesus’ parables?

My take on them is quite straightforward in two ways: 1) Both parables share one crucial element in common: what’s sown is the presence of God within everyone, regardless of whether they’re in or out. 2) In both parables, “those outside” have no idea of the presence of God within but still benefit from “those inside.”

In the first parable, it is puzzling to see the sower does not know how the seed sprouts and grows. I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to assume this sower is a farmer or someone with agricultural knowledge. But this peculiar depiction of the sower lacks any knowledge of germination, seedling development, vegetative growth, etc. This naive trait of the sower resembles those who “may indeed look but not perceive and hear but not understand.” Their awareness of what’s sown in their minds is absent and thus not trained enough to see how what’s sown grows in their minds.

Despite their ignorance of not paying attention to the depth of God’s presence within, grace remains ever-present and available to all. That the presence of God is radiant in everyone’s hearts, although often unnoticed, is grace itself. In the parables this morning, that grace is neglected by “those outside” as though the air we breathe is unrecognized most of the time. Yet, there’s no grudge here. What’s sown still bears fruit, and the harvest comes no matter what. The tiny mustard seed “…grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Grace is still conditionally available through “those inside.”

Those inside who have been alert, ardent, mindful of, and trained in the presence of God within cannot help but radiate God’s presence, through which grace shines. In our everyday lives, we as followers of Jesus are to be the presence of peace, tranquility, and equanimity in the midst of anxiety and fear-driven chaos. But there’s more. As we continue to cultivate the presence of God within, we model how looking “inside” keeps us as those inside. Those outside are outside because they look outside, not inside. World peace is not achieved by world organizations or governments but by each person who is able to look inside one’s heart, where God’s presence is full of grace.