Cultivate the good
Proper 11A (Track 1) Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30,36-43
Sometimes when we are on a journey we may stumble upon a gate of heaven, as Jacob did. We might return there for a vacation and go back again the next year. Maybe we even dream of retiring there. The locals can tell us about the downsides to the place. We will inevitably find some ourselves – the weeds. And we’ll probably ignore them. What we have found is far more precious.
Jesus’ advice in this week’s gospel is to focus on and cultivate that which is good, that which is precious, that which we know to be a gate of heaven.
We cultivate the good even when ICE is ripping people out of their homes and families or shooting them to death as they sit, unarmed in their cars. We do not ignore injustice and our neighbors’ suffering. We respond in such a way that it is clear that the power we rely on, the promises we trust and the vision we embrace is wholly other than the greed, fear and hatred which drives ICE.
Peace.
SermonStarts may be publishing sporadically for a month or so. Dealing with the house stuff has been more time consuming than I had imagined it would be. A good friend assures me that this too will pass! In the meantime, I hope your summer is full of lovely people, times and places. And thanks for reading!
My friend, Heather Lende, wrote a book called “Find the Good” and I think she would agree with your post. I do! Let us cultivate the good, no matter how difficult.
Good luck with the house stuff. May you have moments of joy this summer, I know you’ll be finding the good.
Thanks for some hope. Good luck with the house stuff.