July 12 2020 | Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

Mark 4: 26 – 34

To read the gospel of Mark is to get close to who Jesus is, and what he said.

Here we have a collection of parables – it is as if Jesus is struggling to describe what the Kingdom of God is like it’s like …. It’s like … it’s like ….it cannot be described simply. That’s good news for us. If Jesus struggled to explain so we too struggle to make sense of our lives.

Like the growth of a small seed in darkness and silence so the small seeds of our struggles and hopes are alive in the mystery of our hearts. As the mustard seed, the smallest of seeds, is transformed through its time in darkness, so can we experience this transformation.

Our lives are about waiting and being patient with the power of God in our lives.

“Above all, trust in the slow work of God.” (Teilhard de Chardin)

Mark 4: 26 – 34

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

The Gospel of the Lord

Meet Sister Mary McClure, SNDdeN

Sister Mary McClure was born in Scotland and first met the Sisters of Notre when she was training to be a teacher in Glasgow. After teaching for some time, she joined the Notre Dame community. Mary has been in educational ministries in schools, colleges and university. She has taught across the spectrum – from infants to post-graduate students. She has degrees in theology and psychology. While a member of the Congregational Leadership Team, Mary had the privilege of seeing and experiencing the Notre Dame mission on five continents. She has given retreats on Notre Dame spirituality. She has written and published widely in the areas of theological reflection and curriculum development. Her most recent publication is Supporting Spiritual Wellness (2005). At present Mary is engaged in the ministry of leadership for the British Province. Mary enjoys being an SND! Her interests are spending time with family and friends, reading, writing, walking and gardening.

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