A couple of times each year I send some money to THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION. In return they send interesting tips about trees: how to nurture them, how to trim them, how to recognize them… No matter what, to establish a young tree in your yard you have to have plenty of water available. Their roots will dig deep to search out an aquifer for nourishment, even in dry periods. Scripture for this upcoming weekend recognizes that there are desert spots in our souls, and announce God’s deep digging provision for our survival and growth.
Jeremiah 17:5-10 speaks of an alternative to “worldly” dryness: “Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals….Blessed are those who trust in the Lord…” He uses the analogy of a scraggly desert shrub as opposed to a mighty tree near a stream: “in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.” The prophet dangles such hope before those who’ve followed the strong-man du jour and who now feel incomplete or maybe even betrayed. Psalm 1 is a continuance of the great comparison between the superficial chaff of our materialistic and xenophobic society and the endurance of God’s presence.
It’s well nigh impossible to find a common thread in the Epistle, I Corinthians 15:12-20. Unless it comes as a comparison between those who scoff at the resurrection of Christ (and themselves) and those who believe in and welcome the Easter event. This resurrection power enables the disciple to accept eternal values and ethics, unlike those who may merely be living for this day only. “Belief in Christ’s resurrection provides reason to have faith in our own.” –Jeffrey D. Jones, FEASTING on the WORD, C 1:354)
Luke’s Sermon on the Plain (6:17-26) is a reprise of Mary’s Magnificat, which he earlier reported in Chapter 1 (“God has brought down mighty kings from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly…”). Again, the core of this is a holy alternative between the Blessings and the Woes, a radical acceptance of God’s plan which will turn the world upside down. Our popular culture equates wealth and possessions with sharp dealing and crafty attachments; here are the words of Jesus telling exactly the opposite…!
These readings challenge us to define what it is we value, and how does that exclude some behaviors and beliefs which are here today and blown away tomorrow. God’s kingdom embraces riches different from today’s world, and calls the disciple to ascend to a greater vision.
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My response to lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every
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