Gospel in Art - The kingdom of God is a mustard seed growing into the biggest shrub of all

Barack Obama, by Joe Black, © Joe Black Artist, all rights reserved

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 28th Jan 2022 - Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: 'This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.'

He also said, 'What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.'

Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.

Reflection on the Contemporary Artwork

After the Parable of the Sower two days ago and the Parable of the Lamp-stand yesterday, we now read the Parable of the Mustard Seed. What all these parables have in common is how small things have the potential to become significant things in the hands of God! And all big things have small beginnings. We actually often can't quite see at the very beginning what something may turn into and what potential it has. The mustard seed is something small and insignificant which grows into a beautiful shrub. And imagine now hundreds of mustard seeds and what a forest that could grow in to…

Our artwork today by Joe Black is made with hundreds of small toy soldiers, to create a large picture. From a distance we just see the overall portrait of Barack Obama, but when looking closer we start noticing the tiny toy soldiers. When they are all put together, each insignificant plastic figure is part of the big picture. The Parable of the Mustard seed tells us how we all can make a difference individually, but also how when we work together, we can help grow the Kingdom of God here on earth.

We rejoice today in the wonder of growth: personal growth and growth of our society towards a better place. Just as our painting is made up of tiny little figures, the world around us is made up from a whole range of different people: happy people, stressed people, poor, rich, healthy, sick, generous, tall, small, old, young… what a richness to treasure and be nurtured by… but today we focus on our being that mustard seed: small, humble, with potential… placing it in the hands of Our Divine Sower…

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/1067
Christian Art - www.christian.art