Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." -- Mark 4:30-32

One of the masterful things Jesus did during his ministry was to speak to people in ways they could understand.  It was an agrarian society, and farming and planting were key in describing what the kingdom of God was like.  Here, he says it's like the mustard seed-- one of the smallest seeds, but which grows to be a very large garden plant.  So we get the mustard seed, and we get the plant, but how again is that like the kingdom of God?  In Matthew 17:20 and Luke 17:6, he uses the mustard seed in terms of faith-- that if you have even as little as a mustard seed, you can do great and mighty things.  Here, it's not faith, but the kingdom he's talking about.  But is there a difference?  The kingdom of God on earth is built not with brick and mortar, but with faith and love.  The kingdom therefore isn't a physical presence as much as it is a spiritual one.  When you bring faith into a group of people, it can be contagious.  When you bring love to a group of people, it can transform them.  Yes, the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed... and you are the seed.   My mind is boggled in thinking that as we read this Gospel, Jesus started with 12 followers.  Today, there are over 2 billion... and that's living followers.  I wonder if you were to count the generations of Christians that have passed away, how many people would be counted as being Christian in the years since Jesus called his first disciples?  If anyone knows, I'd really like to hear.  It is true, that even though each of us represents only 1/7 billionth of the world's population, one person can change the world.  Change it in the way you can.


Readings:  Leviticus 9:7-10:20; Mark 4:26-5:20; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 10:6-7

"Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." -- Psalm 34:5

How many billions of dollars a year are spent in the beauty industry?  It seems that each year, more money is spent on preserving those passing youthful looks than ever before.  With teenage girls (and younger) now receiving gifts of plastic surgery and body augmentation, it's becoming more the norm to think that the secret to looking beautiful is skin deep.  But the timeless truth stands: beauty is not skin deep.  True beauty emanates and radiates from the soul.  You can look at someone who appears "perfect" on the outside, but because their heart meditates on dark things, and their eyes reflect hate, there is an ugliness that comes out.  Conversely, you might see someone who would be rejected by radio because of their looks, and find them to be the most attractive and beautiful person you've ever met.   The secret to being beautiful is in finding joy in Christ.  When that joy comes out, people don't just see you, they see God, the Creator of beauty himself.  So if you want to look good, reflect on God, and God will reflect on you.  There you have it: beauty secrets-- free of charge!

Readings:  Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66; Psalm 34:1-10a; Proverbs 9:7-8

"When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. 'I am innocent of this man's blood,' he said. 'It is your responsibility!'" -- Matthew 27:24

In this reading, we find indications that Pilate was a reasonable man.  Not sure what to do with this Jesus character, he asks the crowd, "What crime has he committed?"  They in turn, won't have it.  They basically see Pilate wavering a bit, and in order to seal the deal, they put the pressure of the crowd on him.  A skilled politician, Pilate knows better than to turn the crowd against him, so he says it's on them.  Gladly they take the blame off of him.  He "washes his hands of it" and makes clear that he's not in agreement, but he won't do the unpopular thing.  Though he had the power, he would not spare Jesus' life.

We read this story and, like armchair quarterbacks, say how we would have done it differently.  I wouldn't have washed my hands of it...  I  wouldn't have sent Jesus to be crucified... I would have stood up to the crowd.  But then I think of things in our own time that seem to be the popular trend, and I have to wonder, when issues are brought up and batted around, how much am I influenced by the crowd's leanings?  How much do I let the crowd's view of it color my own understanding of it?   We are all political, whether we like to believe it or not.  We all have the need to be accepted by society to some degree, but we're also called to effect change for God, and sometimes that means doing the unpopular thing-- sometimes it means going against the crowd.  When change is called for, courage on our part is even more called for.  Be brave and stand up for the right thing.  Your hands may be dirty for it, but your conscience will be clean.

Readings:  Exodus 34:1-35:9; Matthew 27:15-31; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-6

"Listen to my (wisdom's) instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death." -- Proverbs 8:33-36

It's a long road to find wisdom.  It comes with time, patience, and humility.  When a tree grows, it sends its roots deep into the soil.  Without good root development, the tree will be stunted.  The problem is, you can't uproot the tree to see how its roots are developing.  You must preserve its stillness and protect its place.  Only after many years will the roots have grown to the point that the tree explodes with growth.  Patience is the path to wisdom.  It beats the hurry and the rush every time.  Take your time as you seek the answers.  And when you think you have them, consider some more.

Readings:  Exodus 32:1-33:23; Matthew 26:69-27:14; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 8:33-36