Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 30,2026

Date: Friday of the 3^rd Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:   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 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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells two parables. The first parable of the growing seed focuses on the divine grace operative within human efforts and the need for trust, patience, and hope. In the second parable of the mustard seed, Jesus highlights the possibilities from small beginnings. Many believe the mustard seed parable and the growing seed parables speak about the Church’s growth from its tiny beginning through the power of the Spirit.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I recognize the Spirit’s role in growing the church? What am I doing to grown the number of faithful, the number of believers in Jesus Christ?

Praying:

LORD,  Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we praise You for all You are and give thanks for all we are because of You and your loving power and presence at work in our moments, our lives, our world. Strengthen our resolve to discern your will and the grace us with the spirit of courage to work tirelessly to grow the kingdom. May we be instruments in your divine design that all might have life and have it in abundance. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.