Weekly Liturgy : July 20-26
- John
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52
The Message
31-32 Another story. “God’s kingdom is like an acorn that a farmer plants. It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it grows into a huge oak tree, and eagles build nests in it.”
33 Another story. “God’s kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread—and waits while the dough rises.”
44 “God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.
45-46 “Or, God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for exquisite pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.
47-50 “Or, God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish. When it is full, it is hauled onto the beach. The good fish are picked out and put in a tub; those unfit to eat are thrown away. That’s how it will be when the curtain comes down on history. The angels will come and cull the bad fish and throw them in the garbage. There will be a lot of desperate complaining, but it won’t do any good.”
51 Jesus asked, “Are you starting to get a handle on all this?”
They answered, “Yes.”
52 He said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.”
REFLECTION
from John
Jesus’ parables here give us multiple metaphors and angles by which to see God’s reality (kingdom) in our midst. Here’s what I notice to be common in these ones:
The process for a seed to grow into a tree takes time.
The process for yeast to make dough rise takes time.
The process for finding buried treasure, selling possessions, making an offer, and purchasing property takes time.
The process of hunting for a pearl, finding it, selling everything, and then buying the pearl takes time.
The process of dragging a net along the sea floor, pulling it up, and sorting the haul takes time.
The process of becoming well trained takes time.
I know we want God to make everything right, now. And in our impatience we can start to try to help sort the fish. But let's not forget who’s who in that story: we are fish, gathered up with all the other sea life.
The process belongs to God.
Are we starting to get a handle?
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Ask for feedback about your impact. After you make a decision, facilitate a meeting, or implement a process, ask someone involved: how did that land for you?
Use their input to inform your next effort.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
Ask for empathy when you need it. The next time you experience a significant emotional moment, ask someone to listen to you and validate your feelings.
Pathway Toward Center
Caregiving (Loving God through service and compassion for others):
Write a thank you card this week for someone who cared for you well recently. It doesn’t have to be long or profound. Just offer affirmation and appreciation.
Questions for Reflection
Do you think humans are capable of growth or change? What do you notice being helpful to growth processes in yourself or in others around you?
Are you aware of any parts of yourself that are currently being stretched into more beautiful shapes?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
Copyright (C) 2023 Church at the Park. All rights reserved.
