Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Today’s text

Matthew 13:1-9

That same day, Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the shore, and he told them many things in parables. He said, 'Listen, a sower went out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up at once, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty Anyone who has ears should listen!'

Prayer

I wonder Jesus, did you look over the crowd and hope?

I hope. I hope everyday to meet hearts and minds where the seed of your kingdom has grown into the beauty of love and the joy of wonder. I hope to be surprised by souls in which I meet and know you.

I hope because I know the power hidden in the seed of a love that dies and rises again. Knowing this, I watch for the beauty of your life secretly growing in the garden of your creation.

It doesn’t look like much of a garden on some days. A tangle of weeds, brambles and thorns seem to overwhelm the luscious promise of spring. But still I see the signs of the seed: a shared laughter, a knowing look, a small kindness, a love that refuses to be repressed, souls who humanize their tiny corner of creation though no one else may notice.

I notice, and I know I am not alone. Your seed grows into a new creation wherever it finds a bit of soil to sprout.

It grows even amid the tangled bramble of my confused soul, making the mess easier to bear. In fact, I have come to laugh at myself more. And there are plenty of failures and oddities there for my amusement. But I think the laughter is a sign of faith. I believe my real life is hidden in the seed of a love that dies and rises … and grows into your tomorrow.

Pr. David L. Miller