Getting Lost in the Woods

  Today’s gospel lesson features John the Baptist.  John was a prophet and contemporary of Jesus.  To find him, folks would make their way into the wilderness of Judea.   His clothes were made of camel’s hair; while his diet consisted of locusts and honey.  John’s prophetic message called on God’s people to repent; or in other words, to turn their hearts and minds back towards God’s dream for this world.  Those moved by John’s message, would partake in a ritual cleansing and recommit to God by being dipped or immersed in water.  Hence his nickname as a baptizer.  John was that unique kind of eccentric person, who has a way of making you feel deeply uncomfortable, and yet at the same time, you can’t quite turn away.  He captivated people's senses.  Prophets often have this skill.  As God’s messengers, they are called to speak to particular communities facing their own individual concerns.  Yet the themes are often the same....

Have you ever noticed that when you are in the middle of something, it can be difficult to see clearly? Maybe you’re driving along the highway on a bright summer day, when out of nowhere, a torrential downpour makes it nearly impossible to keep driving. Or you’re in a meeting, and the group knows they need to make a decision, but also knows they don’t have all the facts to make an informed choice. It could happen when your family suddenly faces a barrage of troubles, and there seems no clear way to face it all.  When we are in the thick of the forest, it can be really difficult to take in the birds-eye view outlining the trail before and behind us. While in Mark’s gospel Jesus is not all-knowing, he does have a very clear sense of the path he is walking, the same path he is asking followers to join him on.  And the disciples, they  love  this teacher.  He sparks something in them that keeps them moving forward, walking through the forest, even as they have ...

  In today’s lesson from Mark’s gospel we see Jesus teaching the gathered people about the kindom of God. (1 & 2)  The first parable compares the kindom of God to a seed, which someone has scattered on the ground, and after several days notices that the seed has sprouted and seems to grow more every day.  The one who scatters the seed has no idea how this seed is transforming.  It would seem the earth herself is producing the stalk, then the grain, and then the full grain head.  With time, the grain becomes ripe and is harvested.  The second parable compares the kindom of God to a mustard seed,  which when scattered on the ground grows somewhere between 6-20 feet tall, and with branches stretching as wide as 20 feet. (3)  How incredible that such a tiny seed could grow into such a massive plant, as well as become a habitat for area birds. So what is Jesus getting at with all this talk of seeds?  It would seem he is trying to tell the gat...

Last Sunday,  Molly  talked to us about gratitude.  She reminded us that for the author of John’s Gospel, it was critical for listeners to understand the truly generous nature of our God.  n fact, the author uses the phrase,  “given by God”,  75 times.   God’s generosity is extravagant, radical, and abundant.  And the only possible response on our part, is gratitude for such humbling, life-changing generosity.  To that end, Molly encouraged us to make a list of  100 things we are grateful for .  If you haven’t made your list yet, take ten minutes and do it today.  You will be glad you did.  These lists proclaim the breadth and depth of God’s abundant generosity, as well as our call to live a life of gratitude.  Today’s psalm (104) reminds us that God’s generosity is not limited to humanity.  In fact, God gives to every living thing, and   all   that has life   is called to take a posture of gr...