Thursday, November 8, 2018

Mustard Tree

Thursday, November 8th

He said therefore, 
‘What is the kingdom 
of God like? And to
 what should I 
compare it? It is 
like a mustard 
seed that someone 
took and sowed
 in the garden; 
it grew and became
 a tree, and the
 birds of the air 
made nests in its
 branches.’
 And again he said, ‘To what should I compare the kingdom of God?
 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures 
of flour until all of it was leavened.’
 Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he
 made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few
 be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; 
for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the 
owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand 
outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then in reply
 he will say to you, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will
 begin to say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.”
 But he will say, “I do not know where you come from; go away from me,
 all you evildoers!” There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when 
you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom
 of God, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east
 and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God.
 Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will
 be last.’ Luke 13:18-30

Mustard Tree

The garden may be very small
covered with  stubborn stones
isolated from the living streams
even hidden from good light.

The soil you have been given
may be drained of all nutrients
an ongoing weedy battleground
pollution at your doorstep.

Plant even the smallest seed
though you might count it lost
someday they will seek the shade
of the community's mightiest tree.

We begin with the smallest grain
the microscopic and tiniest hope
the increase will come with time
the touch of the divine heart.

Fear not the meager portion
nor the humblest of homes
our Creator abides within
if we will add the leaven.



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