Today was a red-letter day at St Andrew’s – we had COFFEE for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic!
What a joy it was! It was a beautiful day, so we were able to gather in the garden, have great chat, all the time admiring the handiwork of Robin and his gardening team.
Thanks to Rob, Helen and Robert for organising this and this morning’s IT which enabled the service to be streamed into the hall.
2nd Sunday Trinity 2021 St Andrews Milngavie
2 Corinthians 5:6-17
Ezekiel 17:22-end
Mark 4:26-34
This week the province has met via zoom for the annual General Synod. Throughout Thursday and Friday over various sessions much was discussed and reflected upon. It was a good chance to take stock, gather our thoughts, contemplate plans and nurture visions for the future of ministry, especially given the past year and the altered circumstances we find ourselves in.
It is in this context our scripture speaks to us today. In the reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel. God is encouraging his people after they have returned from their exile and are facing new beginnings rather as we do. It’s a beautiful passage which uses the imagery of replanting and growing a cedar tree to shelter plants and wildlife illustrating God’s care for us. The text tells us the Lord himself will ensure that his people will prosper. He will replant them and ensure their security and prosperity.
In the epistle we are encouraged by Paul to have confidence in ourselves and our faith and trust in God. But confidence, post covid, for a lot of people is in short supply.
At church we look at our rather diminished congregations, our still restricted social activities and opportunities for many events that we used to take for granted and kept us going. Many people are still fearful of the disease itself, not confident about mixing more freely. And for some of us, simply socialising after isolation can be daunting prospect.
We have all in our own ways reacted to the events of the last year differently, very few of us I suspect are completely unscathed – emotionally spiritually and physically. Therefore, we cannot expect to take up where we left off over a year ago.
Healing and recovery will occur, indeed are occurring, but they are best achieved by working steadily, sustaining ourselves in small realistic ways, embracing joy around us and encouraging each other.
In the gospel Jesus in telling two parables is encouraging us to look for God in the little things. Small acts of love and generosity that grow into warmth and friendship. The everyday kindnesses of people who serve others. Small groups of faithful people whose prayers are offered throughout our communities – all signs of signs of God’s Holy Spirit abiding in us.
The kingdom of God starts very small. That is the essence of the two parables Jesus tells us in today gospel reading. The kingdom is like seed scattered on the ground which is tiny to start with and appear to do nothing at first. But eventually if the farmer is patient it grows into a substantial harvest. Or the kingdom of God is like an acorn which disappears into the ground, but given time and patience grows into a huge tree.
These are familiar parables. So familiar that perhaps we forget the shock with which they might have been greeted by Jesus’ first listeners. Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of God, the rule of God. At the time of Christ Caesar was King, the Roman Emperor. His power was absolute, and obedience was demanded. His presence was attended by much pomp and ceremony. He lived in luxurious palaces and enjoyed rich food and fine wine form gold vessels. So, the people of Jesus’ day knew what a Kingdom looked like. It was big and grand and powerful. And if that was true of an earthly kingdom, how much truer would it be of the kingdom of God?
So, the reality Jesus’ parables of the Kingdom come as something of a surprise. The Kingdom about which Jesus speaks is altogether quieter and smaller. It sneaks up on you like a thief in the night. It lies dormant in the ground waiting to produce a tiny sprout.
God’s reign is present everywhere, hidden, tiny, ordinary. It doesn’t arrive with fire and lightening for all to see. If you want to find it you have to look, very carefully, very closely at little things. It takes commitment and patience to see in these things signs of God’s reign. But it matters that we do. God’s kingdom will come Jesus said but it is also already here. And it is the task of his people, us, is to look for the signs and to nurture them until the whole world sees God’s glory and God’s love.
Our recovery from covid may feel slow as we inch carefully forward, feeling our way to freedom. But we can be assured each step forward we take, like the mustard seed, we will eventually grow and blossom, life will return. In the meantime, we nurture our souls and one another sheltering under the boughs of God’s cedar tree.