November 4, 2021

“And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?  It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” (Luke 13: 20-21)

Anyone take up bread baking during the pandemic? Or maybe you’ve been a bread baker from way back? Anyway, whether you bake bread or not, anyone can notice what you do not see in the rising dough: the yeast.

Jesus says that the woman hid the leaven in the flour. The Kingdom of God is hidden. You cannot see what is hidden. Ergo – you cannot see the Kingdom of God at work. Why is this such good news? Because even and especially when all seems to be lost or broken or hopeless, God is at work! Not only do you not make the Kingdom of God happen, you can’t even see it happening. As we read elsewhere in the bible, we walk by faith and not by sight. 

“Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that we may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Proper 3 – BCP p. 229)