October 29. Luke 6:18-21

This reading is about the Kingdom of God. Jesus is wondering aloud how to describe it. He says it is like a tiny mustard seed that grew into a large bush, large enough for birds to roost in.  It is like a small amount of yeast that mixed into three measures of flour leavens the whole batch (and makes it rise so it can be baked into bread). 

Jesus says, these can be dead words on a page, or this can be your lived experience.  Once you let God into your life, his view takes over everything.  That is how it grows and spreads and permeates your whole existence. Moreover, by its nature it serves others, as the bush gives the birds shelter and as bread feeds people.

At first the ego self resists and is a little unsettled by this experience, but if we say “God’s will be done,” we go with the flow of the divine presence in the universe.  Clearly the Kingdom of God is not about political power or an earthly kingdom.  The Kingdom of God is what we have been talking about – the shield of peace and justice, linking our arms in peace, and seeking peace of mind and love for one another.  Amen.