If the kingdom of God could make all the difference to life, how much would we be prepared to give for it?
Everyone knows the feeling of wanting something so much that you would give everything you have to possess it. Very often we experience that feeling in childhood. It isn't absent in adulthood, but we are less likely to accept the terms of such a transaction. However, we often accept a trade-off without realizing it. Many persons have sacrificed everything else in life for the rewards of professional success, for example, only to find that the prize was not worth the sacrifice.
Whenever Jesus begins any statement with the words “the kingdom of heaven” we know that he is trying to express what human life would be like if our thinking and acting more fully reflected God's will for us. In this case, Jesus shows us a man finding a treasure in a field. The man immediately hides it again, sells everything he has, and buys the field. The treasure in the field is our relationship with God. Jesus is suggesting that this is the ultimate great prize in life. How much value are we prepared to put on such a possession? How much are we prepared to pay?
At first glance, Jesus' next story seems the same, but it is very different. In fact, to realize the difference is to be deeply moved. In this story, the merchant looking for fine pearls is actually God, known to us through Jesus Christ – who is in search of each of us. And when he finds one of us, he is prepared to give everything, even life itself, for us! We might take a moment to reflect on the immense value and worth this attaches to us, a worth far beyond what we expect or deserve. To realize who the merchant in this parable really is, is to realize just how much we are loved. Once again, we are faced with a decision. What response are we prepared to make in the face of such incredible love?
In all of the stories or parables contained in today's gospel, we are faced with a very basic truth. Human life is lived in full freedom to make all sorts of choices. But that freedom carries a price. To be truly free is to be answerable for one's choices - - this gives life its essential meaning.
“Grant us the fullness of your grace, O God, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure.”(paraphrased, from a Collect for Grace in daily living, BCP, p. 234).
Grace to you and Peace,
Bob+
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
10 July
Jesus told a story about the many kinds of faith journeys people experience. His image of God is that of a sower striding along a stretch of ground. In long regular sweeps of his arm he throws the seed far and wide. That seed represents all of the many ways in which God communicates with and gives grace to us.
A seed falls on the roadway beyond the soil line. A bird comes and the seed is gone. A seed falls among rocks where there is just a thin layer of earth. It grows but it has no nourishment, so it dies. A seed falls among thorns, struggles to grow, succeeds partially, and is overcome. Finally, a seed falls in good rich earth and there are magnificent results.
In a sense, the whole story is true of each of our lives. From birth to death, God communicates with us, fostering our growth, guiding, inspiring, calling. Because we are human we go through periods and circumstances when we become each of those places in the story where the seed of God tries to grow. We can be the path beyond the soil line. That may be a stage in our lives when other influences, some of them actually evil, can snatch from us any link with God. We can become the rocky ground, a person full of initial enthusiasm. But if there comes a time when our allegiance to God becomes costly in any way, we fade out. We can be the place of thorns. We encounter God. It affects us deeply, but something more attractive comes along and we go in that direction. There are many shiny, tempting options in today’s world to make us do just that. Finally, we can become good soil. We encounter God. We grow in Christ, and we respond to God. God becomes the foundation of our lives. We find that life in Christ can be far more satisfying than those other shiny, attractive options. We pray today that you and I can be the ground which receives the seed, leading to a bountiful harvest, enriching our lives and all those around us. Good news indeed!
Peace,
Fr. Bob+
A seed falls on the roadway beyond the soil line. A bird comes and the seed is gone. A seed falls among rocks where there is just a thin layer of earth. It grows but it has no nourishment, so it dies. A seed falls among thorns, struggles to grow, succeeds partially, and is overcome. Finally, a seed falls in good rich earth and there are magnificent results.
In a sense, the whole story is true of each of our lives. From birth to death, God communicates with us, fostering our growth, guiding, inspiring, calling. Because we are human we go through periods and circumstances when we become each of those places in the story where the seed of God tries to grow. We can be the path beyond the soil line. That may be a stage in our lives when other influences, some of them actually evil, can snatch from us any link with God. We can become the rocky ground, a person full of initial enthusiasm. But if there comes a time when our allegiance to God becomes costly in any way, we fade out. We can be the place of thorns. We encounter God. It affects us deeply, but something more attractive comes along and we go in that direction. There are many shiny, tempting options in today’s world to make us do just that. Finally, we can become good soil. We encounter God. We grow in Christ, and we respond to God. God becomes the foundation of our lives. We find that life in Christ can be far more satisfying than those other shiny, attractive options. We pray today that you and I can be the ground which receives the seed, leading to a bountiful harvest, enriching our lives and all those around us. Good news indeed!
Peace,
Fr. Bob+
Monday, July 4, 2011
3 July
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
These words spoken by Jesus can be such a balm to the soul. I find it especially appropriate that we heard these words today, the Sunday of July 4th weekend. I think of all the soldiers and veterans who are no doubt weary and who carry heavy burdens, both physically and emotionally; and I hope that they know there is rest and healing in Jesus. I pray there are those among us willing to share their burdens. I believe one way to do that is to express gratitude for the profound gift of self each soldier and veteran gives to our military and our country.
I offer thanks and wish blessings upon everyone who keeps our nation safe. And I pray we can all find the rest Jesus promises.
M.E.+
These words spoken by Jesus can be such a balm to the soul. I find it especially appropriate that we heard these words today, the Sunday of July 4th weekend. I think of all the soldiers and veterans who are no doubt weary and who carry heavy burdens, both physically and emotionally; and I hope that they know there is rest and healing in Jesus. I pray there are those among us willing to share their burdens. I believe one way to do that is to express gratitude for the profound gift of self each soldier and veteran gives to our military and our country.
I offer thanks and wish blessings upon everyone who keeps our nation safe. And I pray we can all find the rest Jesus promises.
M.E.+
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