Jesus put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:
"I will open my mouth to speak in parables;
I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world."
In the Collegeville Bible Commentary, New Testament Volume Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, wrote the following about this Parable.
(See Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-21). The Parables of the Mustard seed and the leaven use every day things to illustrate the dynamic of the kingdom of God. The activity of God in the ministry of Jesus seems as small as a mustard seed or as a little yeast, but its result in the fullness of God's rule will be very great. The comparisons suggest that in Jesus' preaching, the kingdom already has a present dimension and that the process moving toward its fullness has in some way been inaugurated. The part of Jesus' discourse that was addressed to the crowds ends (vv. 34-35) by explaining that he used parables in order to fulfill Ps. 78:2. (Page 882).
In our society of big corporations and large consumerism we tend to think that God sees things in that way. What is big and huge is what is most productive. We may even think that a small amount of something is just too small. Yet, how many of us have known someone who recently experienced the tragic death of someone they love or had a job loss? Just taking the time to make a phone call to say we are sorry and to offer just a few words of support are enough to help that person experience some consolation A $25.00 gift card to a local grocery store given to a family struggling to stay in their home may seem like pennies, but it is $25.00 they can spend on their rent or mortgage without having to worry about food for a few days. What seems like a little to us, means a lot to God and others. And God loves it when people take just a few minutes to tell someone how much they are loved, cherished, and appreciated for all that they do. Just a few minutes listening to someone's grief takes a bit of it off of their minds and shoulders and relieves loneliness and a feeling like no one cares.
God has not placed us in this time and place just to argue, vote, make big plans and do great things that are big and expensive. God has given us the opportunity to help set up God's kingdom here and now by those little things we do for each other. Caring for the equal rights of all people, is one of those small things people can do for each other. In the last few weeks since Arizona passed the draconian anti-immigration law, thousands of Americans and many outside the U.S. have taken interest in the immigration issue. Just the expression of concern by many cities and towns deciding to boycott Arizona businesses in the name of those who are now in danger of facing discrimination due to the color of their skin and/or their accents, shows that people care about immigration. Over this past week as the vote in the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House of Representatives to see the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Americans have weighed in with phone calls, emails and polls stating that we want gay and lesbian people to serve openly in the Military. Those small steps forward, those few phone calls complaining and asking, have been bearing fruit this week. The mood of America and others have also responded with disdain at many of the responses of the Family Research Council and the American Family Council as they have made false, bogus and horrible statements against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, indicates that Americans and Christians are moving in new directions in terms of LGBT people. All of these things are evidence that small opportunities taken advantage of, can result in big and wonderful things.
A small response to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people is enough to help people in big positions know, that we care about how other individuals are treated on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. With all due respect to the Archbishop of Canterbury who has responded negatively to the consecration of Bishop Mary Glasspool, his remarks are disturbing to say the least. When the choice is made to speak harshly towards The Episcopal Church and the Anglicans of Canada about the ordination of open LGBT Bishops and the blessing of same-sex relationships, but fail to speak harshly and publicly about the gay and transgendered couple in Malawi that has been sentenced to 14 years in prison and hard labor, as well as the situation in Uganda, sorry Archbishop Williams, but your priorities are out of order. We sincerely pray that you will open your heart to the movement of the Holy Spirit as she really wants to see the Anglican Communion embrace the idea that women can be ordained as Priests and Bishops, and that all of the Sacraments can be celebrated by all. Inviting everyone to the table to discuss and debate the situation is better than telling one group they are no longer invited to Ecumenical discussions and other occasions, does not encourage Ecumenism or the inclusive message of Jesus Christ. I remain a proud new member of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. I am so thankful for how the Episcopal Church has opened the doors to embrace me and my partner as a gay couple, as well as women and other LGBT individuals.
Let us all acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in those little things we do at her gentle whisper and encouragement. May all of us place our hearts, minds and desires at the prompting of the Holy Spirit's beautiful and gentle movement, as she beacons the followers of Jesus Christ to open those boxes so many of us have placed God in to. The Holy Spirit wants to smash open those boxes through those little things that we do, so that she can blow through the Church and the world to renew the face of the earth.
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Sunday closest to May 25, Book of Common Prayer, Page 229).
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, Page 818).
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