30 Jan 2026
Wondering…
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For 30 January 2026, Friday of week 3 in Ordinary Time, based on Mark 4:26-34
Jesus said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

General editor:
31 January 2026 @ 1:49 am
Thanks, Marianne! Your preaching is always so appropriate for our time!
31 January 2026 @ 2:08 am
Once again, Marianne, you show us how the Scriptures are meant to be relevant from generation to generation, ever inspiring wonder in us. Thank you.
31 January 2026 @ 2:54 am
Such an important reflection and questions for us to look at and pray with today as we look with horror on what is happening in our country. Thank you for your enlightening words with this scripture passage.
31 January 2026 @ 3:41 am
I appreciate the provocative questions you raise! Especially about the Sower’s role vs Nature’s…Thank you for helping me look at this familiar story with new eyes.
31 January 2026 @ 5:06 am
Thanks, Marianne, for your preaching – for enlightening the mystery of creation and its call to trust in God’s work in all of creation.
31 January 2026 @ 8:50 am
Thought and emotion provoking, Marianne! – a blessed connection!
Thank you! I will reflect more!
31 January 2026 @ 3:08 pm
Yes Marianne! Thanks! Jesus spoke in parables to reveal and to conceal. Yet I’m grateful to continue to wonder and I pray to humbly receive understanding! Connie