Wis. 12:13, 16-19 | Ps. 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 | Rom. 8:26-27 | Mt. 13:24-43
The scriptures are filled with God’s deep love for us and God’s great mercy as well. Wisdom teaches us that God takes care of us and also asks us to respond by faithfully following God’s designs for us. Romans explains that of ourselves, we are unable to pray; but, because of God’s great gift of the Spirit, we are able to do so. In fact, it is the Spirit who prays on our behalf.
The Gospel contains stories about the kingdom. Jesus is trying to teach us what the kingdom of God is like. Jesus tells us that good and bad grow up in the same soil. God does not strike down the bad lest in doing so the good is destroyed as well. Jesus continues to teach us about the kingdom through the story of the mustard seed and the yeast. When the yeast is placed in the wheat and allowed to grow, the dough doubles in size and the bread is baked and delicious. This is what happens to us when we allow the Spirit of God to empower and change us.
Pause to reflect on how much you have allowed the Spirit of God to lead and direct you. How or where is God calling you to grow? How do you allow that to happen?