Sunday 14th June -11th Sunday of the year

Reflection: Mark 4: 26-34

ALONE WITH THE MASTER

Two groups of hearers are identified in today’s gospel reading. St Mark the evangelist identifies a large crowd as Jesus’ audience as He tells various parables on the Kingdom of God (Mk 1: 1, 36). Yet there is another group of hearers: Christ’s disciples (Mk 1: 34) whom He seems to give some preferential treatment. While He spoke to the crowds only in parables, He explained to His disciples privately.

Just as in 1st century Israel, large crowds still follow Jesus today. Crowds who are thrilled by His miracles, those who have problems they want Him to solve, those who enjoy listening to Him speak and those who simply follow Him because everyone else is doing so. These crowds were not disciples hence, Jesus taught them in parables, giving them glimpses of the kingdom of God in a bid to arouse faith in them but He left the full explanations of those parables for His private moments with His disciples.

Dear friend, just as Jesus did in today’s reading, He requires two things from you if you truly desire to understand fully the deep truths of God:

1. Your commitment: you must be a disciple, truly committed to following Jesus. Rather than being just part of a “crowd”, you must have a personal and sincere commitment to Jesus.
2. Your private time: Jesus explained the parables when He was alone with His disciples. He asks you and I for such moments alone with Him in prayers and studying Scripture so that He can speak to our hearts, making His words come alive in us.

Are you willing to spend time alone with the Master? Such private moments with Jesus are moments of spiritual enlightenment and growth.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help me to be your true disciple and to spend time alone with You so that my life can be nourished by your word. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2710 – The choice of time and duration of the prayer arises from a determined will, revealing the secrets of the heart. One does not undertake contemplative prayer only when one has the time: one makes time for the Lord, with the firm determination not to give up, no matter what trials and dryness one may encounter.

HIDE A TREASURE: “He did not speak to them without a parable but privately to his own disciples he explained everything” Mark 4:34 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Ezek 17: 22-24; Psalm 92: 2-3, 13-16; 2 Cor 5: 6-10; Mark 4: 26-34