Kingdom of God

 Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come."
He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. Mark 4:26-34

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I have had the privilege of attending and teaching at Convocation in Navajoland. We had meetings in the morning then classes in the afternoon. All ages of people cam to learn about the history of the region, practicing worship in the church and licensed ministry and the ordination process. At the end of the day we were treated to a wonderful picnic supper and then traditional Navajo songs and dances. There are many challenges for the various ministries here and yet there are seeds of joy being planted everywhere. This will be a place where I can always point to where I glimpsed the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus taught the people with parables and stories, not because they were stupid or child like, but in an oral tradition, stories are told in a way so that they can be remembered and repeated. The images stay with us forever and we can repeat the stories word for word because they are most powerful and rich in their simplicity.

Today I ask God to abundantly bless the ministry and people here in Navajoland. May all of us, who are attempting to serve the people here  know the power and the gift of their story and may we never fail to see the kingdom of God in their midst.

Collect
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.