Mustardseed Sunday

May our prayers rise like incense before you, and the lifting of our hearts as the evening sacrifice.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, and when words fail me may your Spirit intercede for me. In the name of Christ.

Last summer I grew a beard. I had plenty of time for such projects, because of what had come just before….

When words fail us,
we rely on the Spirit to intercede.

Beyond what we know or think is possible, God is working—
in a seed so small as a mustard seed, there is the beginning of verdant growth;
in a palm full of yeast there is the hidden power to make the bread to rise:
it’s something humble, almost, imperceptible, yet God is working there.

In a field is a hidden treasure, like a Viking hoard long lost; or
In the marketplace is a pearl of so great a value,
that to have it in your hand is worth all you can summon together to give.

There is a net full of fish—
and the good alone is kept.

(What is there to do—when someone is gone, but to remember the good?)

[“There’s nothing to remember about her except the good.”—Paola, closing out chapter one of The Girl of His Dreams by Donna Leon, (Atlantic Monthly Press, May 2008)]

There is a storehouse full of treasures old and new; to listen to the word is to bring them forth.

Even in crazy stuff like Jacob’s story, and the stories of Rachel and Leah, we can see God’s hand at work. He is working out his purpose even in the wiliest of men—or the wackiest of families.

(Imagine Jacob waking up next to— a Surprise! “Who are you people????” And the response comes as they all burst through the door: “We’re your family!!!”)

Beyond what we can ask for or even imagine are the promises of God, the future with hope he is working out for his people—

through hidden things and great,
with those who are obedient—

for these parables all give us glimpses of what the world can be like when we let God be in charge,

and take part in his loving work, as his hands in the world.

We hear the good news:
Christ has died for us and set us free;
nothing can separate us from the love of God—
all things work together for good to those who love God—

and so we can with boldness say
Our Father:

and so we can take on Christ as our Lord as well as savior;

so we can respond to the challenge of the gospel, the invitation and the promises of the Covenant we make in Baptism:

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers? We will, with God’s help.

learning what it means to walk the Christian way,
having companions for the journey,
encouraging each other,
showing each other the love of God
and how to live it, out in the world?

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and whenever you do fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? We will, with God’s help.

not giving up or being too proud to seek God’s forgiveness,
to make reconciliation, to say ‘sorry’,
to make amends— or forgive— and move on

Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? We will, with God’s help.

to show in our lives that we bear the love of God into the world—
what we say, what we do, says that Christ is Lord, that God is in charge of the world:
loving it, redeeming it, and bringing it to completion in the fullness of time.

Will you, loving your neighbor as yourself, seek and serve Christ in all persons? We will, with God’s help.

so easy to dismiss or belittle the unfamiliar,
so easy to be unkind to the stranger,
so much easier;
than standing up for what is right

Will you respect the dignity of every human being, and strive for justice and peace among all people? We will, with God’s help.

for that is what it means when God is in charge—
and what it means to be his people,
for whom all things work together for good,
according to his promise.

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The love of God enfold you,
the power of Christ protect you,
the leading of the Spirit guide you,
and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

(Blessing from Clouds and Glory by David Adam, SPCK, 2000)

JRL+