"What God's kingdom is like"

Scripture: Luke 13:18-21 - He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."

Meditation: What can mustard seeds and leaven teach us about the kingdom of God? The tiny mustard seed literally grew to be a tree which attracted numerous birds because they loved the little black mustard seed it produced. God's kingdom works in a similar fashion. It starts from the smallest beginnings in the hearts of men and women who are receptive to God's word. And it works unseen and causes a transformation from within. Leaven is another powerful agent of change. A lump of dough left to itself remains just what it is, a lump of dough. But when the leaven is added to it a transformation takes place which produces rich and wholesome bread when heated – the staple of life for humans. The kingdom of God produces a transformation in those who receive the new life which Jesus Christ offers. When we yield to Jesus Christ, our lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Paul the Apostle says, "we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

 

Refection question: Do you believe in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit?

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and transform me into the Christ-like holiness you desire. Increase my zeal for your kingdom and instill in me a holy desire to live for your greater glory." Amen.

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News:

Father Ralph called me last night around 9:00 P.M. 10/22/13 and said that Sister Marcy called him to say that Sister Ann may not make it through the night, her blood pressure is very low.

Let us keep our dear Annie close to our hearts in prayer. May she soon be enjoying the heavenly kingdom with all God, Francis and Clare,  her sisters, family, artists and all those people she ministered to in the classroom, TAU House, Jackson Square, Lazarus, Samaritan Ministries and the Journey Retreats.

I recall a funny memory during my time in New Orleans when a person was visiting a friend at Lazarus who was dying, he said to his friend, "when you see the light, run towards it" and we say the same to Annie.

 

The Tau House Memorial GardenThe Tau House Memorial Garden will be transferred to the Poor Clare Monastery at Henry Clay & Magazine Streets, New Orleans, LA. Many thanks to Billy Edwards, Patrick Nunez, Chris and Kevin Callaghan for making that happen.

December 15-17 the garden will be arranged by Ted Genebacher of Quincy IL. Ted and his wife Sarah have been friends of the Poor Clare Nuns for about 4 years. They come down from Quincy, IL each Advent to help the nuns with the gardens, cooking, and Christmas decorating etc. Ted and Sarah own and operate Frese Ornamental Nursery in Quincy, IL, awesome people, salt of the earth. Ted is known for his garden arrangements.