Often dangled before oppressed peoples like a carrot on a stick, hope is a dangerous commodity, which when it takes root and begins to grow imperceptibly proves to be almost impossible to eradicate and quite often leads to the downfall of the oppressor. The people of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Karnes City heard this in a message based on Mark 4:30-32. The mustard plant to which Jesus refers in the parable is in fact a weed which can take over a field much like the Kudzu plant has taken over areas of the American southeast. The plant becomes a symbol of God’s reign of hope which breaks into our world almost imperceptibly and is the downfall of those forces which seek to keep us bound to the powers of sin and death.

What might all this mean for us? We are called to proclaim and to be hope for the world. We are empowered through faith to catch glimpses of the in-breaking of God’s reign of hope in our midst. The people of St. Paul’s were invited to complete the sermon in their own experiences this summer and to capture images of hope to be posted on a special bulletin board or on St. Paul’s Facebook page (become a Friend of St. Paul’s on Facebook by going to St. Paul’s Lutheran – Karnes City and liking us).

St. Paul’s News and Notes: Anyone interested in tacking quilts for Lutheran World Relief is invited to join in the fun on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 6-9 p.m. (next meeting, 6/27)… Cross Trails Ministry Day Camp will be held July 9-13 from 8:30-3:30. To volunteer, make a donation, or to sign up your favorite student contact Barbara Jonas.