Pentecost 4 b

Symbols of Grace

Introduction

I find that there is meaning in most things. Perhaps it is because I am always writing sermons, or perhaps it is that I really like a good story. But I see a sunrise and wonder about it. I have noticed that most, but not all of my garden is growing and wonder why. I wonder if I would have been compelled to walk cross Niagara Falls if I was a tightrope walker, and I feel sad that they shot a bear cub in downtown Moncton just because he was lost.

Jesus knew all about the fact that we are a curious people. So did the authors of the stories about all our heroes in the Bible.

They told stories that we could relate to. They embellished the truth, or changed the location, or drew attention to the ordinary in new ways so that we might notice things differently.

This is what is meant by the word “symbolic” a symbol is something that means something else, it points us in a different direction. When we see it, we see more than what is really there, we see the meaning behind…

Today is all about symbols, from the celebration of communion right through the stories we are reading. For the most part I am just going to talk about what they meant to the people who wrote them. I hope as I do so that it helps you to see something new, something different, or some relation to your own life.

The Youngest Son

One of the things we often don’t recognize is that much of our story is about the difference between urban and rural. It is a city mouse versus country mouse world that is at stake… with the Empires of Rome and Assyria, and Babylon representing the cities… and Israel being the country.

Remember last week when I said that Israel wanted a King so it could be just like all those other big places…. Well… that is the basis of a story that goes on and on about what is the best way for us to live our lives.

Should we be close to the land? Close to each other? In relationship with God? Or should we be growing and growing? Getting rich? Moving all the time and trusting in a king?

We always seem to want the last one… but the thing we do not realize is that becoming a big city, making jobs be about money, and living that way separates us from each other. And from the very beginning God made us to be in relationship with each other.

So, we want a king… and we are told a story about the King that God chose: Who is this king? The youngest, smallest, earthiest son of a shepherd. It is not a politician, or a prince; but a person of the land.

This is not accidental. Again we are being told a story through symbolism. God choses not only the last and the least, but the one who is most connected to the land, to family, and to tradition. These are the people who will truly make a difference. These are the people who can lead but maintain a little humanity.

So even when God goes along with our bad ideas, there is a sense of grace, a sense of choosing the best possible way to remind us of who and how we are supposed to be.

The Parable

Jesus never did anything but spoke in riddles, used symbols, and taught by example. We call his way of preaching a parable.

Here is another way of saying what Jesus was trying to say without all the imagery:

“I know it does not seem like we accomplish much. But we are starting something that will lead to big changes.”

Kind of boring huh? Also, you just have to take his word for it. There is no reason to believe that little things lead to big changes, and we know from personal example that a lot of what we do seems to be wasted effort.

So he tells a story: You have all seen a garden, right? You have all seen a seed, right? Ever see a mustard seed, or a lettuce seed? They are so tiny you can lose it while you are looking right at it… but then you plant it, and something miraculous happens. You get a salad, or two, or three…. It keeps growing.

So perhaps, just perhaps, when we do nice things, it causes unexpected changes and growth.

We do not know when a smile to s stranger might completely change their world – stop them from committing suicide, etc.

This parable is the whole premise for the movie It’s a Wonderful Life…. Where old Bill Bailey thinks his life is worthless till he gets the chance to see how all the small things he did throughout it made a huge difference in the people around him.

Conclusion

There is a sense that God is in all things we do, that each and every thing connects us to the past, the present and the future.

The thing about faith is, we believe in meaning too. Things don’t just happen and we are done with them, we wrestle with them, we engage them, we try to see how this can be part of our story.

So this week may you continue to live with your eyes open, putting together the pieces of your life, and working to make a difference in how things play out.