The kingdom of God doesn't look like much. It looks as little as a mustard seed or yeast. Therefore, to work in God's Kingdom we must not go by sight, but by faith (2 Cor 5:7). Not only are we unable to see much, but to see anything at all will take some time. Dough rises gradually and mustard seed grows slowly. Therefore, to work in God's kingdom we must persevere for some time. "Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God" (Lk 9:62).
Faith and perseverance are the dynamics of kingdom living. Yet we are a show-me people for whom seeing is believing, an instant people for whom everything must be done almost immediately if done at all. The devil is not only tempting us to not seek first the kingdom, but trying to rob us of the basic foundational virtues of kingdom-living. The devil has trained us to look big and think big, and to ignore anything not a fingertip away in a vending machine or a handheld electronic device. While we get concerned about his throwing rocks at the windows of God's kingdom, the devil is, behind the scenes, ever so quietly dismantling the kingdom's foundation of faith and perseverance.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I seek first, live for, and die for Your kingdom (Mt 6:33). |
| PROMISE: | "I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to Me, says the Lord; to be My people, My renown, My praise, My beauty." –Jer 13:11 |
| PRAISE: | Sally felt unworthy to be on the parish evangelization team, but together with others in her parish, has brought Christ to her neighbors. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College