The poetic beauty of this week’s brief text from Isaiah is overshadowed
by current and past news of catastrophic flooding in the US northeast and other
areas here and around the world. Yet are there not always times when good news
for some contains bad news for others? Of course drought-stricken areas are
happy for plenteous rain or snow but too much or too little are each their own
problem. The prophet here is no stranger to grieving and this text isn’t intended
as mere pretty poetry or platitude. One writer suggests this piece is a catalyst
for hope. Prior parts of this section of Isaiah have been about the pain of
exile in Babylon and now they have returned to the land of their ancestors. This
Creation imagery, coming even in the midst of lingering suffering from exile,
as any people displaced by flooding, or earthquakes, or millions of acres on
fire can attest, offers the hope and comfort of a deeply loving God. The psalm continues
the imagery of a planet thoroughly enriched by God that grows and feeds and sings
with joy.
And then we move to Paul’s Letter to the Romans as he describes how to
avoid condemnation. The flawed and sometimes despicable humans that move
alongside the people of God are created by God and gifted with the free will to
obey or not. Many of those who play larger roles in life find themselves in
thorny patches on rocky roads diverted from their appointed mission by the lure
of earthly distractions, intemperance, or a volatile nature. Yet they are
brought to us in Scripture, remembered for their deeds and misdeeds, as human
as we are, and, like us, with depths and shallows, tragedies and triumphs,
ordinary and extraordinary depending on the day, the dilemma, and the choices
made.
We, too, are created
and chosen by God with the seeds of the Spirit planted within us. It would seem
that all we need to do is till, tend, water, feed, and weed for a bountiful
harvest of God's love, that is, to freely set our minds on Christ's salvation
and life eternal. But, of course, it's not always quite so simple. Farming
is tough work, a 24/7 job on and in the ground. Great soil, good
weather, and hard work should yield a good crop. But even excellent
farmers have epic failures despite their best efforts. We, as all those who
came before and all who come after, will encounter feasts and famines,
droughts and floods, rocks, thorns, pestilence, and grief within the span of
our lives; some of it through no fault of our own and some by our willing
neglect and impetuous choices. But, the Spirit of God always dwells
within us and when we are shaken back to that consciousness, it is never
too late to replenish the soil, enrich it with the nutrients of prayer and
penitence, and nurture the deep roots that remain. Whatever is on the surface
of our temporal acreage at any given time, the Word of God will ground us if we
will hear and try to understand.
Matthew helps us see the
impetuous of the “sure, I get that” response from those on rocky ground with no
rootedness to live into the Word when things aren’t going well. We know the one
living among the thorns who never hears the words of Jesus being lured by
earthly distractions and attractions and the gathering of stuff and money that never
fully satisfies. But the good soil, cultivated and maintained by regular
feeding and replenishment hears and understands, building a strong foundation
so that even the dire troubles life can bring, though distracting at times, can
withstand and yield ever greater yields of spiritual fruit.
A dandelion can flower in all manner of ground, and a desert will erupt
in blooms with the slightest moisture. Whenever the Word penetrates my
awareness, I must try, try again to clear the rocks, cut back the thorns, and
cultivate the soil to enable those deep roots to keep me spiritually grounded;
to be fruitful and multiply the good yields of my soul, to belong to Christ
Jesus again and forever.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Holy
God, Ground of our Being, grant us eyes to see and ears to hear the Word that
calls us each and together, to seek the fertile path of the Spirit. Guide us to listen deeply to understand, and
to continually enrich the soil of our souls to go out in joy and be led back in
peace.
Lord Jesus, our Christ
RESPONSE: Deepen our roots in You
~ Holy
God, Ground of our Being, sow the healthy seeds of grace and goodness in the
souls of those who govern this World, our Nation, and our Community. Divert
them from the way of thorns into the arable terrain of fairness, honor, and
integrity. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Lord Jesus, our Christ
Deepen our roots in You
~ Holy
God, Ground of our Being, comfort and heal all who struggle with illness in
body, mind, or heart, and ease the burden of those who care for
them. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in
need… add your own petitions
Lord Jesus, our Christ
Deepen our roots in You
~ Holy
God, Ground of our Being, we commend to Your hand, all who have left this world
for Your Kingdom where there is no death, only life everlasting in the fullness
of joy. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
Lord Jesus, our Christ
Deepen our roots in You
~
Holy God, Ground of our Being, we pause in this moment to
offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and
memorials… add your own petitions
Lord Jesus, our Christ
Deepen our roots in You
~ Holy
God, Ground of our Being, plant a grower’s faith and vitality within those
chosen and anointed as the tillers of Your verdant fields. Guide them to model
and inspire spiritual growth in each other, in ourselves, and in our community
of Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Lord Jesus, our Christ
Deepen our roots in You
The Celebrant adds: Lord of Creation,
our Divine Gardener, cultivate our hearts to free us from the weeds of temporal
pleasures that choke away our spiritual birthright of salvation. Enrich our
willingness to tend and nurture Your Word and Presence within us for a fruitful
yield; a soul-fulfilling harvest to last eternally. We ask this through Jesus,
Sower of the Word; and the Holy Spirit, Wellspring of
Wisdom; who live and thrive together with You as One God, now and
forever. Amen.
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