Parables of God’s Kingdom
January 29, 2025 - Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 4:1-20
Today, we witness Jesus preaching from a boat, revealing the mystery of God’s reign in the world and in the life of each person. His chosen method is teaching through parables — simple stories that convey profound spiritual or moral truths. Jesus’ parables range from the brief, like the parable of the mustard seed, to the detailed, such as the parable of the Last Judgment.
A key question arises from this Gospel: how should we proclaim the message of the Gospel today? Pope Francis, in The Joy of the Gospel, offers valuable insights, particularly on the art of preaching within the liturgy. He reminds us that the purpose of preaching is twofold: to proclaim God’s deeds of salvation and to outline the demands of the covenant between God and humanity. Preaching should not entertain but inspire repentance and faith.
The Pope emphasizes brevity and focus in homilies, advising that the preacher’s words should highlight God, not themselves: “The words of the preacher must be measured, so that the Lord, more than his minister, will be the center of attention.” As the psalmist declares, “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory” (Ps 115:1). Similarly, St. Paul states, “What we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor 4:5).
But how do we share the Gospel beyond the liturgical setting, with those who no longer come to church or have never heard the mystery of God’s reign? Perhaps one way is to emulate Jesus’ approach and craft parables that resonate with our time. In my Christology classes, I encourage students to create modern parables about the kingdom of God. Here are three examples:
The Kingdom of God is like a computer. It works seamlessly, even if you don’t fully understand how, because the one who programmed it knows every detail.
The Kingdom of God is like two boys with cellphones. One uses his phone to stay connected with family and friends, while the other wastes it on meaningless games. The first experiences joy and connection, while the second misses out on true purpose.
The Kingdom of God is like a woman shopping for shoes. She tries on countless pairs in different stores but eventually returns to the very first pair she tried on, realizing they were perfect all along.
These contemporary parables, though simple, capture profound truths about the unseen workings of God, the importance of purpose, and the human search for ultimate fulfillment.
In Mark 4:1-20, Jesus concludes the parable of the sower with the words, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:9). The parable reminds us that the seed of God’s Word falls on different kinds of soil, representing the varied responses of human hearts. As modern disciples, we are called not only to sow seeds but also to ensure our hearts remain receptive and fruitful.