What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted it in the garden. Luke 13:18-19

Even though I was raised in the city, my father taught me the wonders of farming. Along with instructing me how to plant and harvest vegetables, he showed me that gardening is perhaps an ultimate act of faith, as we trust that something small and unseen can grow into something beautiful and delicious. Is there anything better than tomatoes fresh off the vine?

And just as a garden grows, so grows the kingdom of God in believers. Our call as disciples is not to drag unwilling people screaming into the kingdom. Rather, God asks us to plant seeds of love and the good news of Christ and those around us, gently drawing them into the warmth and light of the presence of Jesus.

Jesus, allow me to be both seed and sower to those who need you.

Steve Givens

Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. Psalm 113.2

There is a 19th century Christian hymn called How Can I Keep From Singing?  The sentiment of the song is beautiful - no matter how difficult life may seem, if God is watching over us and sustaining our lives, how can we not sing out in joyful song? This may be what the writer of this ancient song (psalm) was feeling.

I personally find this very challenging.  It is so much easier to praise God when things are going well from my perspective. But what would happen if we were to thank God at the end of each day, regardless of the burdens, pain or costs we experienced? It is possible we may find our perspective slowly shift to see that our life itself, regardless of this or that event, is worth thanking God for each day. We may also find that our appreciation for seemingly small blessings increases and can sustain us during difficult trials.

Thank you, Merciful God, for the many wonderful gifts you bring to my live.

David Nantais

And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. Luke 17:15-16

When our children are young, we school them in saying "thank you" for any courtesy, gift or praise given them. What we're really teaching them is awareness, the ability to recognize and name what they've received as grace. And so it goes for us for the rest of our lives. Before we can say thank you, we have to live in awareness of what comes to us as gifts large and small: the start of a new day, a brilliant sunset, a word of affirmation, a job offer, the successful end of a course of treatment, a hug from a child, a relationship on the mend.

Every one of the ten lepers had been healed, but only one recognized and named God's healing presence in his life. Only one realized, returned and gave thanks.

Loving God, lead me into awareness of your gracious gifts to me today.

Sr. Chris Koelhoffer, I.H.M.