Habakkuk
is irritated. He will not give up his complaint until he gets God’s answer and
he does! The very descriptive language of his frustration speaks directly to
our own times and the answer he gets is clear if not exactly a swift
resolution. The Psalm appointed for today is a perfect follow up: Have
patience, keep on track, do good, commit to and trust in God, for
evildoers shall be cut off in the appointed time, wait
for it.
And so while we are waiting, it is, certainly and always, the Gospel, with a
little help from the 2nd letter to Timothy, that gives us our focus – the
apostles, with relatable human impatience, ask Jesus to "Increase our
faith!" Jesus reminds them, and us, that all we need is faith the
size of a mustard seed and we would be able to command whole trees to
uproot themselves and be replanted in the sea. These are
metaphors whose underlying meanings are worth pondering, however strangely
mixed – did you stop and wonder: why would we plant a mulberry tree in the sea?
Moving
on, there are many varieties of mustard seeds across the many regions of the
Earth, and those Jesus speaks of are nearly as small as the period at the end
of this sentence, yet they hold within themselves the ability to produce enormous
trees. No magic intended here, just nature as created. But thinking of
something so tiny taking such deep root and growing so large can guide our
understanding of the potential in our own imperfect faith. Whether in days of
seeming uprooted-ness and feeling all at sea, or in times of feeling securely
well planted, we are reminded by these readings that we have all that we need
within us. We aren’t called to understand how or why it all works, just to
believe that it does and it will.
How great our own eternal future if we merely remember the good
treasure, our holy calling, the grace that has now
been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. How
wonderful to know that when we seek to rekindle the gift of God that is
within us, the fertile seeds of faith and trust have
already sprouted in us with the help of the Holy Spirit.
It is also important to remember that having “true faith” doesn't mean
freedom from doubt. And when the doubts creep in, don’t panic. Wanting to have
faith is enough, and even wanting to want to have faith is enough.
Those times are examples of having faith if seemingly less than robust to us than
what we think we observe in others. We are opening ourselves for the Spirit to
till the ground of our beings just by the wanting.
Accept as naturally human that in this
life there are moments of distance, occasions of dark nights and gray days.
Trees need pruning now and then and so do our souls. Some of those times are
longer than others and it is in such times, as the Psalmist tells us, we are
to be still before the LORD and wait patiently. Write a list
for yourself, adding or deleting from time to time, of ways to encourage yourself
to spend some time with the Sunday readings. Consider some ideas and ways of how
to pray a bit more or a little more often, if only just breathing in and out
with the name of Jesus on your lips, in your mind, and in your heart, perhaps
you’ll remember to say a simple thank you for the food on your table at
mealtimes. All the while our work of faith, present or awaited, goes on in
small and ordinary ways, as in even a slightly cared-for garden. No worries
about how large or small a faith seed you have. Our level of faith
isn't meant to be quantified, only recognized for its power, for its
sufficiency, for its enough-ness that will bring us to our spiritual
fulfillment in and with God's grace and purpose, in God's appointed time. Just
as watching and enjoying any planted seed grow in a windowsill pot, or a large
expansive garden, one tiny seed of faith nurtured with even a single word of
prayer as simple as “help,” offering caring words and actions toward
others, reading a quote or paragraph or more of an inspiring source can produce
Soul-filled Energy Every Day. Just by imagining it,
you are planting your One Tiny S.E.E.D.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ God of
Mercy, Grace, and Peace, may we allow our tiny seeds of faith to renew our
right spirits, rekindle the gift of You living within us, and place our
trust and hope in You.
Lord of
Salvation
RESPONSE: We
commit ourselves to You
~ God of Mercy, Grace, and Peace, we pray to you for the removal of evildoers and perverted judgment from
the chambers of all who govern on this Planet, in this Nation, and in this
Community. Bestow upon all victims of violence, poverty, bigotry, and war
crimes, the fullness of your righteousness, justice, and relief. We pray especially for: add your own
petitions
Lord of Salvation
We
commit ourselves to You
~ God of Mercy, Grace, and Peace, grant ease to
all who live with distress in body, mind, or spirit, and give rest to the
hearts of those who give them care. We now join our hearts to pray for
those in need… add your own petitions
Lord of Salvation
We
commit ourselves to You
~ God of Mercy, Grace, and Peace, may the
joy of our loved ones, now freed from earthly bondage, shine brightly in
immortal life, through the light and glory of the Risen Jesus. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
Lord of Salvation
We
commit ourselves to You
~ God of Mercy, Grace, and Peace, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
Lord of Salvation
We
commit ourselves to You
~~ God of Mercy, Grace, and Peace, we lift up
all who are appointed as Your heralds, that with the help of the Holy Spirit,
they may hold to the standard of sound Gospel teaching, guarding the good
treasure of Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Lord of Salvation
We
commit ourselves to You
The Celebrant adds: O
Lord our God, remind our impatient hearts to seek moments to rejoice in every
day that you create, in difficult as well as easier times. Inspire us to
nurture the fragments of faith within our souls that gather our thoughts and words
into positive and generous action for all we meet. We ask through our
Savior Jesus, our Christ; and the Holy Spirit, the Prompting Voice within us;
who together with You are One God, now and forever. Amen.
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