A Moment Aside ---- 14 July 2020

A Moment Aside ---- 14 July 2020

     Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables… which we all must admit were not always understood. The Gospels have an explanation/exposition of the Parable in a few cases, so that the disciples who followed after the people who knew and saw Jesus could understand.

     Jesus took his parable from the everyday life of the people he was speaking to. They saw and understood sowing and reaping, fishing, walking from here to there, a treasure in a field, and even “the birds of the air.” These were common things in everyday life used for the uncommon purpose of proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

     What could Jesus use were he to spin a parable today? For many of us, sowing, weeding, and reaping are common enough. All we have to do is look around. Walking and watching the birds is something most of us do often enough. Some of the images have become distant. For instance, I was born and raised in an area where agriculture was not too common. Mining was the historical occupation and huge holes in the ground were all around. (“strip mines”) Our next-door neighbor operated a power shovel in a strip mine not too far from where we lived. From the front steps of my house, I could see mountains of shale, the unusable left-overs from the mining operations. Later light industry was the main employer. Sowing and reaping would be hear-say to me as a youngster.

     I’ve included the photos at the top of the page since – as far as I know – all of us like to eat. Potatoes are quite common on many tables… and there seem to be so many ways to cook them. The photographs illustrate (clock-wise from the top left) shoestring potatoes, “tater-tots”, Gnocchi (O, so delicious!), mashed potatoes, potato chips, baked potatoes, potato “skins”, potatoes cubed and boiled, and home fries. The note at the top states “If you can do this with a potato, think of all God can do with you.” There’s a lesson and parable for you! Really now; consider the potato for a moment (rather than the lilies of the field.) If any of us can make a tasty dish… in at least nine ways!... from a potato, just what can God do with any of us? (We’ve left out scalloped potatoes, pierogis, and many others.)

     No matter what our circumstance, God can use us to bring in the Kingdom… even just a few inches! Maybe we’d never notice it, but if we can be open to the working of the Great Chef… well, what a buffet could be served!

♫ All God’s children have a place in the choir.

Some sing lower, some sing higher,

Some just sit on the telephone wire,

Some just clap their hands. ♫