This Sunday’s Readings:
Ezekiel 17:22–24
Psalm 92:2–3, 13–14, 15–16 (℟ see 2a)
2 Corinthians 5:6–10
Mark 4:26–34
AROUND THE CORNER from where I live is a farm right in the middle of the city. I know spring has come when everything from cars to sidewalks is coated in yellow by the pollen from the wild mustard that grows there. I never understand why the farmers allow such an annoying weed to take over their fields and my sinuses! They could do much better with a more lucrative crop, and we’d all be less inconvenienced by the mess.
And that’s the point of today’s parables. God’s reign will grow whether you want it to or not. Tend it or uproot it, it will still flourish where you least expect it. It will get into every crack and crevice and leave its mark. And those who need it most, the ones most vulnerable and least powerful, will find safety and shelter in it.
God’s reign is wild, and those who want to control where it sprouts and whom it benefits will be covered by its residue regardless. In our world where systemic injustice seems to have cemented over any ground for hope, the dormant seeds of God’s reign lie waiting. And those who have swept away and buried the nuisances demanded by God’s justice will be reminded one day that people.
–Diana Macalintal
Suggested Music
GIA Hymnal Suggestions
WLP Resource Suggestions
Choral Suggestions:
A Sower Came from Ancient Hills
Words by Herman G. Stuempfle / Music by Sally Ann Morris
G-5074 · SATB, keyboard
Song of the Mustard Seed
Hal H. Hopson
G-2239 · Unison voices, keyboard
MYSTAGOGY MOMENT:
“The kingdom of God is like a seed; a little seed.”
A mustard seed. So tiny, yet so powerful. Like many seeds, they don’t look like much, but with tending and nourishment, they become something beautiful. We are nourished in our spiritual life by the Word of God and the Eucharist. What needs to be nourished in your heart? What needs to grow in your spiritual garden? Is there someone or something in your life that could use some tending? Something that could change your life or the life of your community? What may seem like a small action to you could be the equivalent of planting a mustard seed for someone else. Something that gives them the confidence to grow into what they were meant to be. Plant those mustard seeds wherever you go and build the kingdom of God. Who knows what they could grow to become?
–Victoria Zibell
Si Tuvieras Fe / If You Had Faith
Arranged by Rory Cooney and Beth Lederman
G-9231 · SATB, cantor, assembly, keyboard, guitar
We Walk by Faith
Arranged by David Lasky
G-9519 · SATB, assembly, organ
Come, You Thankful People, Come
Arranged by Tony Alonso
G-9460 · SAB, assembly, piano, guitar
More choral suggestions for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time…
Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast Roy Johnson SATB, organ G-2968
Dos Cantos para las Procesiones/Two Processional Songs Pedro Rubalcava Two- or three-part choir, cantor, descant, assembly, optional guitar, optional keyboard. 012531
El Amor de Dios/God’s Love Is Everlasting Lourdes Montgomery Two-part choir, cantor, assembly, guitar, keyboard 012649
Give Glory Jacob Israel Villalobos, Matthew Leon, & Michael Paul Leon Two-part choir, cantor, assembly, guitar es17355-H
In God’s Time M.D. Ridge, arr. Gerard Chiusano SATB, cantor, descant, assembly, keyboard 008889
Por Tu Misericordia Eleazar Cortés, arr. Peter Kolar Alabemos a Dios songbook 012682
Seek Ye First Patrick Bradley SATB, solo, guitar, keyboard 001239
Sing the Kingdom Alan J. Hommerding & Robert W. Schaefer SATB, cantor, assembly, optional string quartet, keyboard 008733
The Kingdom David Wright & James E. Clemens Two-part choir or children’s choir, keyboard, optional handbells or chimes. 007104
The Reign of God Ron Krisman SATB, reduction G-6501
We Walk by Faith Ed Bolduc Two-part choir, cantor, assembly, guitar es06709-I
We Walk by Faith Marty Haugen SATB, assembly, organ, guitar, 2 C instruments G-2841
We Walk by Faith Samuel McFarland, Arr. Dennis Johnson SAB, keyboard G-6012
