The core of Jesus' message is the Kingdom of God, of which the Gospel of Mark seeks to convey the good news. Here it is announced through a parable, with the image of the seed that, once planted in the ground, releases its life force and bears fruit. But what is the Kingdom of God for us today? What does it have in common with our personal and collective history, constantly suspended between expectations and disappointments? If it has already been sown, why don't we see its fruits of peace, security, and happiness?
"The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters grain on the ground; whether he sleeps or gets up, night or day, the grain sprouts and grows" (Mk 4:26-27)
This Word communicates to us Jesus' complete confidence in God's plan for humanity: "[…] Through Jesus, who came to earth, through his victory, this Kingdom is already present in the world, and its fulfillment, which will put an end to history, is already assured. The Church is the community of those who believe in this Kingdom, and she is its beginning."[1]To all who welcome it, she entrusts the task of preparing the ground for receiving God's gift and safeguarding hope in his love. "[…] Indeed, no human effort, no ascetic attempt, no study or intellectual research can help you enter the Kingdom of God. It is God himself who comes to you, who reveals himself with his light or touches you with his grace. And there is no merit of which you can boast or on which you can rely to qualify for such a gift from God. The Kingdom is offered to you freely."[2].
"The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters grain on the ground; whether he sleeps or gets up, night or day, the grain sprouts and grows" (Mk 4:26-27)
To sow the seed: not to keep it for oneself, but to sow it with abundance and trust. "Night or day": the Kingdom grows silently, even in the darkness of our nights. We can also pray every day: "Thy Kingdom come." The seed does not require continuous supervision on the part of the farmer, but rather the ability to wait patiently for nature to take its course.
This Word of life opens us to trust in the power of love, which bears fruit in its season. It teaches us the art of patiently accompanying what can grow on its own, without anxiously seeking results; it frees us to welcome others in the present moment, valuing their potential while respecting their timing.
«[…] A month before the wedding, our son calls us alarmed to tell us that his girlfriend has started using drugs again. He asks for advice on what to do. It's not easy to respond. We could take the opportunity to convince him to leave her, but that doesn't seem like the right path. So we suggest he look deeply into his heart […]. A long silence follows, and then: “I think I can love a little more.” After the wedding, they manage to find an excellent recovery center with outpatient support. Fourteen long months pass, during which she manages to keep her promise of “no more drugs.” It's a long road for everyone, but the evangelical love we try to maintain between us—even through tears—gives us the strength to love our son in this delicate situation. A love that may also help him understand how to love his wife.»[3].
Letizia Magri and the Word of Life team
[1] Cf. C. LUBICH, Word of Life, August 1983: EAD., Words of Life/1 (1943-1990), Madrid 2020, p. 281.
[2] C. LUBICH, Word of Life of October 1979: ibid.., p. 155.
[3] S. PELLEGRINI, G. SALERNO, M. CAPORALE, A Silent Transformation. Testimonies from Families Around the World on “Amoris Laetitia,” Madrid 2022, p. 88.
