A small kindness can inspire others,

that the eternal significance of actions isn't measured

by their size but by the love and faith invested in them.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

2 Sm 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17

In the spring of that year,

When kings usually set out to fight, David sent out Joab, his officers and all the Israelite troops.

They slaughtered the Ammonites and attacked Rabbah, while David remained in Jerusalem.

One afternoon, David got up from his siesta and took a walk on the roof of the royal house.

From the rooftop, he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful.

David sent to inquire about the woman, and was told, "She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah, the Hittite."

So David sent messengers to have her brought to him; and he had intercourse with her. Then she returned to her house.

 

As the woman saw she was with child, she sent word to David, "I am with child."

David then sent a message to Joab, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." So Joab sent Uriah to David.

When Uriah came, David asked him about Joab, how the people were and how the war was proceeding;

then he told Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet."

Uriah left the palace and the king had a portion from his table sent to him. Uriah,

however, did not go down to his house but slept by the door of the king's palace with all the servants of his lord.

David was told that Uriah did not go down to his house. 

 

David invited him to table and he ate and drank until he was drunk.

When evening fell, however, he went to lie down on his couch

with the guards of his lord instead of going down to his house. 

The next morning, David wrote Joab a letter to be taken by hand by Uriah, 15 in which he said,

 

"Place Uriah in the front row where the fighting is very fierce

and then withdraw from him so that he may be struck down and die."

When Joab was attacking the city, he assigned Uriah to a place

which he knew was being defended by strong warriors. And the defenders attacked the men of Joab.

Some of David's soldiers and officers were killed; Uriah the Hittite also died.

 

Ps 51:3-4, 5-6a, 6bcd-7, 10-11

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Mk 4:26-34

Jesus also said, “In the kingdom of God it is like this. A man scatters seed upon the soil.

Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night, the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how.

The soil produces of itself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

And when it is ripe for harvesting they take the sickle for the cutting: the time for harvest has come.”

 

Jesus also said, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it?

It is like a mustard seed which, when sown, is the smallest of all the seeds scattered upon the soil.

But once sown, it grows up and becomes the largest of the plants in the gar­den

and even grows branches so big that the birds of the air can take shelter in its shade.”

Jesus used many such stories or parables, to proclaim the word to them in a way they would be able to understand.

He would not teach them with­out parables; but privately to his disciples he explained every­thing.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

We are called to trust His timing.

Both parables in the Gospel remind us that God's work in our lives

and the world follows a gradual process of growth and maturity.

It is often invisible at first; however, nourished by our efforts,

the grace sown by God will manifest through the fruits it produces.

 

We are called to trust in His timing and remain faithful,

knowing that even the most minor acts of love

and faith can make a difference and hold eternal significance.

The Kingdom of God grows within and around us, bringing light and hope to a world in need.