First Reading
Ezekiel 17: 22-24
1. What are the similarities between the “tender shoot”
in this parable and the mustard seed in the Gospel?
“Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every
winged thing in the shade of its boughs.” What do you
think of when you read this?
2. Jesus referred to the “least” becoming the “greatest”
numerous times. How is Jesus’ life an example of this?
Can you think of others who follow(ed) this example?
Second Reading
Corinthians 5: 6-10
1. “Walk by faith, and not by sight.” What does that
mean to you? Paul mentions courage twice in this
reading. Why would we need courage to walk by faith?
What other virtues might we need?
2. Discuss Hans von Balthasar’s comment on this reading:
“Paul’s confidence is constant, regardless of the
current spiritual weather patterns in his life or in
that of his congregation. ‘We walk by faith.’”
Gospel
Mark 4:26-34
1. What is the farmer’s job in both of these parables?
What is God’s job? Could you ask yourself the same two
questions about your ministry…your job and God’s job?
Can you trust God to do God’s job?
2. While the man sleeps and rises night and day the seed
sprouts and grows, first the blade, then the ear, then
the full grain in the ear. Are such accomplishments due
to human beings, technology or the rules of the Kingdom
of God?
