Could it be that the simplest acts of kindness and service that I have offered to others are truly the kingdom of God growing in my heart?

 
Reading: Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? Luke 13:18.
 
Good morning, happy Tuesday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
Today’s Gospel (Luke 13:18-21) begins with Jesus teaching in the synagogue.  At one point he asks his listeners: “What is the Kingdom of God like?  To what can I compare it?”  Then Jesus describes the Kingdom of God by using different images. He tells the people: “The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that a man planted in the garden.  When the seed was fully grown, it had many branches, and the birds would come and dwell in its branches.”
 
Jesus then gives them another example to describe the Kingdom of God.  He tells the people: “The Kingdom of God is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”   What was Jesus trying to say to his listeners?
Perhaps today Jesus is reminding us that we are called to be “leaven” in today’s world.  As Christians, we are called to share the love of Jesus with every person we meet.  The gift is there are many ways to be leaven in our world.  It may be by sharing a smile, offering to help someone with their grocery bags, being present to a family member who is struggling, or laughing with a friend who needs more joy in his or her life.
 
Many things in life begin small without any great awareness of what they may become, such as these two brief parables are to do with small beginnings and great endings. charitable initiatives, or business projects. On the other hand, we know what small seeds can become when they mature. Lord, your seed is the word that can grow and bear fruit to the benefit of all. We ask God to help us to be sowers of the seed that it may bear fruit in the lives of others and offer them shelter from the storms of life.
 
Something small can effect significant change, such as small amount of yeast in the mass of dough. Small changes in life can lead to something greater in due course. Lord you are the yeast of life. Help us, Lord, to be open to the change you desire of us that in turn we may be leaven in our society for the proclamation of your kingdom.
 
Could it be that the simplest acts of kindness and service that I have experienced from others are truly the kingdom of God growing in the world? And that the simplest acts of kindness and service that I have offered to others are truly the kingdom of God growing in my heart? The growth is slow and undramatic. The source of kindness and service is like the source of nature’s power – simple, humble, and mysterious.
 
The secret of the Kingdom of God is to allow Jesus to grow in us. As we do so, we come to love him and depend on him as our travelling companion.
 
Blessings,

Fr. Luis+