30-July-23 (Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52)

Parables, at least the way Jesus told them, are not fables.  There isn't a moral to these stories.  It goes far deeper than that.  Jesus isn't simply telling us to be wheat and not tares; to be mustard seeds or leaven or hidden treasure.  He's saying the Realm of God is already like that.  God has already sprinkled the leaven, hidden the treasure, and planted the good strong mustard seeds in our lives.  As we come to the Table, let's remember that God is already at work bringing out surprising good from us and those around us.

Let us pray.

Prayer:

God of us all, we thank you for your amazing, generous love for all of us.  Help us to see past the frailties of our humanness to the gifts you've hidden within each of us.  Thank you for these symbols of bread and cup that remind us of the One who died to open the way for us to be part of your gifted family.

In Jesus name, AMEN