Marie and I have enjoined, from time to time, in dabbling in Antiques (and Junque). Trouble is, we never had enough storage or sales-space to get involved in furniture; so we settled for small stuff–cups ‘n’ saucers, miniature paintings, jewelry… Some things are delightfully magnificent, while others feature minor enchantments for which you need to look. Scripture this week addresses the daily pleasures which often times pass by unnoticed. Can God be seen in the little details?
Why is Genesis 29:15-30 included? This is the story of Jacob working seven years for Rachel’s father as a dowry; and it turned out that his bride was LEAH, the older and less attractive sister. No matter; Jacob worked ANOTHER seven years to pay for Rachel, so he married both sisters…Good God! The story is important in that it fills in the narrative of holy-history with the children of Abraham. Some will try to talk about Jacob’s faith in Laban–but this is weak. Chicanery seems to have been a gene in that family: the pool is getting shallow.
Romans 8:26-39 reflects Paul’s faith that no matter how often the sky falls, no matter how distorted life gets, God can’t be beaten. “In all these things [hardship, distress, persecution, death itself] we are more than conquerors through [Jesus] who loved us.” Pandemic-quarantined persons are feeling very separated from their friends, their work-places and life as it once was; yet God in Christ prevails. This passage is a firm “NO!” to the grief and chaos all around. “We shall overcome someday…”
The Gospel (Matthew 13:31ff) continues the telling of Jesus’ parables. “The kingdom of heaven is like…” A mustard seed. A pinch of yeast. A discovered treasure. A pearl of lustrous perfection. You know–little everyday things. He’s telling us to envision God in every nook ‘n’ cranny: if God can use mustard seeds and a smidgen of yeast to grow the kingdom, we need to keep our eyes open for the common and perhaps neglected. These parables demand a decision to honor the “lost and the least”. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a treasure!
In Ordinary Time, we read of how Jesus honored ordinary things. The extravagant miracles are nice, of course–but God’s Kingdom is likened to everyday material. Maybe the Kingdom is hidden in the homeless and dirty grief-paralyzed person down the street. Maybe the Kingdom is hidden in YOU!
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
My encounter with scripture assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
My Blog 
Leave a comment