Ezekiel 17:22-24 / 2 Cor 5:6-10 / Mark 4:26-34
We may have noticed that there are some things that are pleasantly unusual around the sanctuary area this weekend, and it is only just for this weekend.
We can't miss the statue of the Sacred Heart over there. It was brought out for the celebration of the triduum and the feast day which was last Friday.
We would have also noticed the red roses at the side of the statue. There are 400 stalks of roses because there was this offering of roses for Jesus for the feast day.
Besides that there are also more floral decorations at the foot of the main altar, at the side-altars and around.
The extra floral decorations are for the Feast Day celebrations. They certainly had more colour and ambience to the sanctuary, which is already quite beautiful in itself.
Come to think of it, the three stained-glass images also have floral designs around them, which made the stained-glass images quite unique as well as beautiful.
In a way, we can say that these flowers have fulfilled their destiny. When they were in the nursery, no one could really know where and how they would eventually end up.
Some may end up gracing the sanctuary of churches and homes. Some may be part of a bridal bouquet. Some may be part of a wreath. Some may just be floral decorations at events.
Whatever it might be, the flowers were grown, then when they bloomed, they were cut and used for decorations and their destiny was fulfilled.
That is the story of the flower. In the gospel, we heard about the parables of the seeds.
The seeds were sown in the soil, and they germinated. Some bore fruit for the harvest, some grew and put out big branches so that birds can shelter in the shade.
Jesus used the parable of the seeds to point to the kingdom of God. When creation fulfills its destiny, God has given the glory.
The parable of the seeds reminds us that God created us in love, and He has sown the seeds of His kingdom in the depths of our hearts.
As the 1st reading says of those seeds: It will sprout branches and bear fruit. Every kind of bird will live beneath it, and every winged creature will rest in the shade of its branches.
So, we know what our destiny is. We must let the seeds of God's kingdom and germinate and sprout and bear fruit in our lives and beautify the world for the glory of God.
It is about a spiritual growth for the kingdom of God, so that the world can see the beauty of God's love, and the salvation that Jesus is offering to the world.
But as we know, growth is not without challenges and difficulties. The challenges and difficulties that we experience in life is also what a young fragile seedling has to go through.
There is a scorching sun, the heavy drops of rain, and the piercing wind. All these elements of nature threaten the young seedling, but at the same time, these elements of nature are necessary for growth.
The sun is needed to make it grow upwards. The rain waters it and the wind make it firm.
We too will experience similar elements in our lives.
But as the 2nd reading tells us, we live and grow by faith and not by sight.
We believe that the scorching and hurting issues of our lives are meant to burn away the unnecessary so that we can see clearly.
When we feel that we are sinking into murky Waters, we cry out “Lord save me”.
And when the winds of change blow away our comfort and security, then we must turn to God who is our refuge and our hope.
Yes, we live and grow by faith and not just by sight.
We are not flowers or seeds that depend on circumstances to determine their destiny.
We are created in love, and with faith we make the decisions that will shape our destiny, and we place our hope in God who will guide us.
Like the flower, may we grow in beauty and give God glory.
Like the seed, may we also bear fruit and a harvest for God's Kingdom so that the world can taste and be filled with the goodness of the Lord.