The
poetic beauty of this week’s brief text from Isaiah is often overshadowed by
current and past news of flooding, fires, and other natural disasters in the US
and around the world, and of course, casualties of war. Yet it is also often
true that there are times when good news for some contains bad news for others.
For example, 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. Those we deem to range between flawed and despicable are also gifted with the free will to obey or not. While many who
play larger roles in general life find themselves in thorny patches on rocky
roads, are diverted from their appointed mission by the lure of earthly
distractions, intemperance, or a volatile attitudes. Yet they are brought to us
in Scripture, remembered for their deeds and, misdeeds, as human as we are,
and, like us, filled with the depths and shallows, tragedies and triumphs, the ordinary
and extraordinary moments, depending on the day, the dilemma, and the choices
made.
We all 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 rarely, if ever, quite so simple. Farming is a 24/7 job on and in the
ground. Great soil, good weather, and hard work ideally 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, joy 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 merely 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 who is living
among the thorns, and never hears the words of Jesus while being lured by
earthly distractions and attractions and the gathering of the stuff and money
that will never fully satisfy. But the good soil of one’s soul, cultivated and
maintained by regular spiritual feeding and replenishment, hears and
understands. We can choose to build a strong inner foundation so that even the
dire troubles life can/will bring, although disheartening and distracting at
times, can withstand and produce 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 of my soul to enable me to grow those
deep roots to keep me spiritually grounded; to be fruitful and multiply the
good yields of faith, to belong to Christ Jesus again and forever.
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 the thorns of injustice 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 spirit, and ease the burden of those who care for them. We now join our hearts 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 personal 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 within themselves, 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.
