Today Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is in our midst, but we have a part to play in perpetuating it, growing it, letting it rise up, cultivating its abundance, and making it known through our daily living. The Kingdom of God is like a tiny mustard seed, a pinhead sized knowing deep within that requires planting in order to manifest. What does this planting look like? It looks like collecting grace; those moments of encounter, witness, healing, breakthrough, worship, and mercy. These collections of grace till the hardened ground and make room for the tiny seed to gestate. This happens when we love, when we show mercy, when we pray, when we feast on the Word, and when we fellowship with one another. When the seed is planted it needs nourishment and care. This is sometimes a slow process requiring patience and persevearance. Once it breaks the surface, the spreading of grace, signs and wonders, miracles, mercy, harmony, peace, and joy is like a wildfire.
The Kingdom of God is like a an even tinier culture of yeast used to expand dough. Those above mentioned collections of grace are kneaded into the supplness of our souls with every experience of His presence. This kneading lets the dough widen as the air fills its rising. The Spirit fills our widened hearts as we knead it with the grace given each day to expand our capacity to love. Both kneading and tilling require a certain breaking down of a density that closes off growth. This breakthrough leaves room for expansion and then the harvest and the feast are abundant beyond measure.
The one thing that affected me in today’s gospel is that Jesus says that both men and women have a significant part to play in the spreading of the Kingdom of God in our midst. He used ordinary human daily activities to teach us that the Kingdom of God is right here in our very midst and all that is needed is for us to grow it…on earth as it is in heaven!! I don’t even think we can grasp what that really means without Divine Revelation, but wow. We don’t have to wait to get to heaven, we just need to cultivate it, grow it, and knead it into our daily lives, and let the Spirit be the wildfire that spreads it and lets it rise among us. So as we go throughout our week, let’s be aware of those collections of grace being stored up within each one of us, and let’s acknowledge that the Kingdom of God is indeed already here with us. It is well with my soul.
Reading 1 ROM 8:18-25
Brothers and sisters:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,
in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees for itself is not hope.
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,
in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees for itself is not hope.
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.
Responsorial Psalm PS 126:1B-2AB, 2CD-3, 4-5, 6
R.(3a) The Lord has done marvels for us.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Alleluia SEE MT 11:25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 13:18-21
Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like?
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and 'the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.'"
Again he said, "To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch of dough was leavened."
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and 'the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.'"
Again he said, "To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch of dough was leavened."
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