Daily Prayer: a resource of Forward Movement

The Forward Day by Day Meditation for May 22, 2013

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WEDNESDAY, May 22 Ember Day

Luke 13:18-30. To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.

Posted on my refrigerator is a quote by Dorothy Day: “People say, ‘What is the sense of our small effort?’ They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time.” I draw consolation from these words as I begin each day. Often my life feels like it is over-flowing with nothing but small things—tasks, projects, things to do. I need to remind myself that God’s kingdom is built one brick at a time.

This is true in the life of the church. Many of us have seen it happen: One person’s “small” idea, based on a chance encounter or an inkling of insight, can grow into a ministry that involves many people and serves even more.

We won’t always see the fruits of our labor. But perhaps we all need a reminder of how our small efforts, our seemingly small offerings, and our small selves can make a difference in God’s dream for the world.

I don’t have much experience with baking bread. But I do know how small that packet of yeast is—and what a big difference it makes. What can each of us do today to be yeast for the world?

PRAY for the Diocese of North Karamoja (Uganda)

Ps 119:1-24 * 12, 13, 14; Ruth 2:14-23; 1 Timothy 3:1-16