Monday morning gospel QB - Go Small
Channel: Spirit Moves 4-2-1
Date: 22/11/2020

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field and they grew up with weeds that were planted by the enemy . . .  
Or . . . “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet - It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’” 
Or . . . “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” 

There lots more if you read the whole passage set aside by the Church and of course there's many layers of interpretation but I'd like to focus holistically on " God's Kingdom".  Not God's Kingdom when we die,  - "where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."     but God's kingdom in the here and now.

The imagery / we see helps us visualize the concept:  Wheat & Weeds / Mustard Seeds & Bush / Yeast . . . Bread "leavened" Raised!  (from the word - to raise)

Kingdom of heaven is planted in good soil (we are all made in the image and likeness of God - all, not just some)  Kingdom starts small - a mustard seed, the smallest seed that when it grows gives shelter / protection / life to all who dwell within . . .  or simple yeast that over time enlivens the entire loaf of bread - gives rise to it all.

So what does Jesus hint at in this imagery ? ? ? 
I would suggest, he hints at  -  "going small" - the little things in life.  The little miracles that come in midst of the day because God comes to us disguised as our lives, even the small elements of seeds and yeast.   The small miracle of the tiniest seed growing into the mightiest bush or the  smallest grain of yeast - "needed in" giving rise to all, again a small miracle . . . Or When I look in my garden and see a bee flying, I'm reminded again of one of Gods small miracles, because "a bee is not supposed to be able to fly, right".  

So perhaps that where the "Kingdom Creating" has to begin by "Going small."  

If there is one gift of COVID - it's been gift of being home, of slowing down, being  w
ith my wife and children.   The gift of little things - a good meal around our table, a game of cards, riding our bikes, watching a movie - together, doing a craft, trying something new - the small things that we often miss - too busy in our activity dense lives. 

I think "Going Small" also applies to The demonstrations and movement that rose out of George Floyd's death at the end of May - the movement will be successful and usher in substantial change, because it goes small.  The spirit is moving in individuals and their consciousness   - "seeds and yeast" that gives rise in:  small communities, local governments & institutions, businesses, police forces, school boards - the grass roots needed to Bring life . . . And thus create God's kingdom in the here . . .  In the Now!  

Like we ask for in the Our Father - "Thy Kingdom Come" . . . Often means "man's kingdom must go"  God's kingdom of openness, inclusion, forgiveness, healing, - which by the way means Salvation, justice, peace, love . . . Not Man's kingdom of isolation, separateness, consumerism, power, violence . . . 

God's kingdom now . . . Lets have it now, lets not wait, lets stay small and co-create with the master "Sower"  being  "present"  to the little miracles that unfold along the way because again, God comes disguised as our lives. 

Have a great week of discovering and going small -  Peace!