The Collect
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Gospel
Jesus put before the crowds 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.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
This Sunday we hear about the true measure of God's reign. The one who created us, has planted within us such great love and capacity. Jesus shared several stories, drawing pictures with words that we can all see. We often feel small and inadequate. The world is too often cruel, and we feel so powerless. Yet, we are told, that despite all that seems against us, God's reign is love, and God's love is always acting for us, with us and within us.
Wondrous Creator, source of endless love
you well is deep and endless, always providing
new possibilities even in the midst of storms
and showering love like rain upon everyone.
Precious Savior, give us your faith like a mustard seed.
We often stumble and we see only our deficiencies
yet you have given us your heart and your faith
your reign is not as master but as loving servant
and you constantly come to our aide when we fall.
Precious Savior, give us your faith like a mustard seed.
Our hearts are on the ground with sorrow and loss
yet even when we are down you embrace us all
you send new mornings and new possibilities
and you treasure us more than gold or fine pearls.
Precious Savior, give us your faith like a mustard seed.
Help us to trust that we are your beloved children
you the perfect parent, the endless stream of love.
Precious Savior, give us your faith like a mustard seed.
Give us new eyes to look beyond our scars
help us to see your love in our darkest hours.
Precious Savior, give us your faith like a mustard seed.
For you are the source of all that is good
and you will cover us daily with your love.
Precious Savior, give us your faith like a mustard seed. Amen.
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