Over the last few weeks our gospel texts has shared with us a parable from Jesus. Although they often appear simplistic, they usually have some sort of twist that requires grappling. As Solomon prays for wisdom and the psalmist asks for discernment, we seek to more deeply know the treasures of faith and how to detect the kingdom of God. In today’s gospel Jesus offers more parables filled with everyday images that reveal to us what the kingdom of heaven is like: a tree that becomes a shelter for birds, yeast that penetrates and expands, a hidden treasure, a priceless pearl, a net that gains a great catch. Such pithy parables remind us that the kingdom of heaven can be found in the midst of the ordinary stuff of our lives and invite us to write our own parallel parables. When we do so, we find that even as we seek the riches of God’s reign, the great surprise is that God’s grace finds us first! Join us Sunday and write your own heavenly parable.
Image: Bowls of sourdough rising. Photo copyright © The Picture Pantry/Alamy Stock Photo. Used by permission.