A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

Jesus said, “This is how it is with the reign of God: A sower scatters seed on the ground, then goes to bed at night and gets up day after day. Through it all the seed sprouts and grows without the sower knowing how it happens. The soil produces a crop by itself-first the blade, then the
ear, and finally the ripe wheat in the ear. When the crop is ready, the sower wields the sickle, for the time is ripe for harvest.”

Jesus went on to say, “What comparison will we use for the reign of God? What image will help to present it? It is like a mustard seed which people plant in the soil: it is the smallest of all the earth’s seeds, yet once it is sown, it springs up to become the largest of shrubs, with branches big enough for the birds of the sky to build nests in its shade.”

Using many parables like these, Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. Everything was spoken in parables, but Jesus explained everything to the disciples later when they were alone.

The Good News as spoken through Mark.