Living in the Spirit

July 16, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!’ –Matthew 13:1-6

A community is a body of individuals organized into a unit or manifesting usually with awareness of some unifying trait*. Jesus was a community builder. He attracted groups of people and melded them together in the unifying trait of love.  Jesus challenged us to build such a community among all people. It starts with getting to know each other. Learning that we are not as different as we may think. Wanting the best for everyone.

Prayer: Lord, help us be community builders. Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/Community

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.