Hello my friends,
This is Mark Gladman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood monk in docks.
Welcome.
As always,
As we begin,
I invite you to stop and pause and take a moment just to settle yourself into our time together today.
Take a deep breath in.
.
.
And out.
Let your body rest,
Feel the weight beneath your feet and your body supported,
Resting easily.
Fully in this moment,
No need to rush or be anywhere else.
As we continue listening to the parables of Jesus,
Just allow yourself to arrive with openness and trust.
Now today's parable is small.
It's very easy to overlook.
It speaks of seeds growing,
Quietly and slowly,
Almost unnoticed,
Kind of like the parable.
And perhaps the most surprising part of it is this.
The farmer sleeps,
Not once,
But again and again.
Night after night after night while the seed grows.
And it grows not because of any effort on the seed's part.
It doesn't grow because they have any control on the farmer's part.
It grows because,
Well,
Growth has its own mystery.
While the world around us tells us to push harder and fix ourselves and force change,
This story speaks something incredibly different.
It reminds us that growth often happens in ways that are hidden.
While we rest,
While we wait,
While we trust.
So as you listen today,
Notice where might something already be growing,
Even if you can't see it yet.
So first,
Just listen to the story as it was told.
In the Gospel of Mark,
Chapter 4,
Verses 26 to 29.
Jesus said,
The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground and would sleep and rise day and night,
And the seed would sprout and grow.
He does not know how.
The earth produces of itself first the stalk,
Then the head,
Then the full grain in the head.
But when the grain is ripe,
At once he goes in with his sickle because the harvest has come.
So for now,
Just let this story rest gently within you.
Allow the images to settle,
The seeds scattered,
Night and day,
Growth unseen.
Now listen again.
And as you listen,
Notice what word or phrase or image draws your attention,
That thing that just seems to stay with you.
Jesus said,
The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground and would sleep and rise day and night,
And the seed would sprout and grow.
He does not know how.
The earth produces of itself first the stalk,
Then the head,
Then the full grain in the head.
But when the grain is ripe,
At once he goes in with his sickle because the harvest has come.
Now hold that thing that caught your attention and stay with it and gently return to that word,
That phrase,
That image and allow it to rest in your awareness.
Now we'll listen just one more time.
And as you listen,
Notice where this story touches your life.
What might be growing within you even now that you don't notice,
That might be emerging without any striving,
Any force,
Any exertion on your part?
What might be growing there as you sleep?
What might be growing there day and night?
Jesus said,
The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground and would sleep and rise day and night,
And the seed would sprout and grow.
He does not know how.
The earth produces of itself first the stalk,
Then the head,
Then the full grain in the head.
But when the grain is ripe,
At once he goes in with his sickle because the harvest has come.
Rest now in stillness and allow yourself to trust what can't be seen.
Growth that's hidden,
But quiet and faithful,
Like seeds beneath the soil,
No need to rush or force,
Just simply allowing.
Just sit with that and rest with that,
With God.
And as we bring our time together to a close,
Just go with this question.
What might already be growing within me,
Even if I can't see it yet?
And as you step into the rest of your day,
May you trust the quiet work that happens beneath the surface and may patience become your companion.
And may grace,
Peace and love go with you and remain with you today and always.
Amen.
Until next time,
My friend,
Go gently and may God's peace be with you.
