Scripture & Reflection: Sunday 26th July and for the week ahead:

Scripture:

Jesus put before them 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.’ (Matthew 13.31-33)

Reflection:

It’s quite surprising to hear the Kingdom of Heaven described in such homely, everyday terms. A latecomer to gardening, I’ve never quite got over my amazement at seeing a tiny seed grow into a healthy plant, yielding beautiful blooms or even edible fruit. And I never fail to be astonished that such tiny amounts of yeast can transform a lump of dough, lightening its texture and doubling it in size.

In such small, ordinary beginnings, says Jesus, we see the power of God at work. The majority of us are not people of power and influence, and yet in our undramatic everyday lives God can work in us to further his kingdom. Lord, take our lives, our words and our actions, and make them a blessing to others.

Revd Rosemary