October 7, 2012
Pentecost 19
Joel 2:21-27
Matthew 6:25-33
ALL AGES SERVICE
(prayer)
Birds flapped their wings and glided overhead. They landed nearby and pecked at the seeds on the ground. The grass swished back and forth in the breeze. The flowers opened their petals to the warm sun’s rays. Puffy clouds floated across the sky.
It was a beautiful, sunny day to be outside. The grass was soft and the birds chirped with joy ... and a crowd of people sat around Jesus, listening.
//
//
Take a moment and think about those things with which God has blessed you/us and for which you/we feel gratitude.
// (pause) //
These are gifts from God, which assure us of God’s accompaniment when we feel worried and anxious.
It is a strange reality of our existence that a little joy can go a long way in offsetting some pain or worry.
At least ya got yer health !
Of course that is not always true.
At least ya got yer God !
The promise of our scriptures is that this is always true.
//
Both the Joel and Matthew readings for today invite us to grab on to the confidence that the authors are promoting.
Both of these passages acknowledge that the current situation is less than ideal.
Joel is written at a time of drought. There is a real fear that the fields will not produce enough to provide for the needs of the people.
In Matthew, Jesus speaks to people who know (from real personal experience) what it is to be anxious about the basics of living – will they have enough food to eat; will they have adequate clothing?
//
The message is ‘do not fear’, ‘do not worry.’ Jesus and the prophet can say these words because they are confident in the promise of a hopeful future.
‘The treshing-floors shall be full of grain!’
‘If God clothes the grass of the field, will God not much more cloth you?’
//
//
It is thanksgiving weekend. It is a common activity, in families, communities and even churches, to look back onto our lives and to appreciate what we have: for some of us, we express our gratitude to God for providing all that we know and enjoy and for be a presence in our lives.
Thanksgiving provides for us that discipline. And that is good.
//
And still, I see a slightly different approach in today’s readings that can be a good discipline as well.
Joel and Jesus are inviting people to be grateful for the promise of what is still to come. To appreciate that God promises to be with us as we move from drought to bounty; from worry to calm.
The prophet says, rejoice and be glad, even in the midst of drought, for the rains are on their way and the grain stores will be full.
The Christ says, God has provided all that is needed, for birds and flowers AND US. Even if we are worried, God is not.
//
How can what Jesus says here be true in the most logical and practical way?
//
SHARE!
BE GENEROUS!
SET ASIDE FEAR AND WORRY!
AND APPRECIATE THE PROMISE!
SHOW THE LOVE OF GOD IN OUR ACTIONS WITH OTHERS!
SHOW THE LOVE OF GOD IN OUR ACTIONS WITH OTHERS!
//
Thanksgiving is more than an examination of how we have already been ‘blessed’ by abundance. It is about allowing that abundance to do its charitable magic.
Thanksgiving is about being the hands and feet of Christ within a world with too much fear and too much worry.
Birds flapped their wings and glided overhead. They landed nearby and pecked at the seeds on the ground. The grass swished back and forth in the breeze. The flowers opened their petals to the warm sun’s rays. Puffy clouds floated across the sky.
It was a beautiful, sunny day to be outside. The grass was soft and the birds chirped with joy ... and a crowd of people sat around Jesus, listening.
One young man with a concerned look on his face spoke up and said to Jesus, “Jesus, I am worried. I’m not sure I will find enough food for my family to eat.”
“I am worried, too,” said a woman close by. “We need warm clothing for the cold nights that will soon be here.”
“I am always worrying that our well might dry up and we will be left with no water,” said another.
“I worry sometimes, too,” replied Jesus. Then Jesus looked around and pointed to the large shady tree behind them. “Do you see those little birds pecking the seeds on the ground? They are not able to plant their own food. God cares for them. And God cares for you, too. Now look at those flowers blooming in the field.
How beautiful they are!
Even the great King Solomon, when he dressed up in the best clothes he had – even King Solomon wasn’t as beautiful as these flowers. God cares for the flowers. And God cares for you, too. Worrying won’t change things. God loves you. God delights in you and loves everything about you. And God knows what you need.”
Jesus smiled as he told the people, “God has given us a world that makes it possible for everyone to have food,
and clothing, and water.
How wonderful is that?”
“Yes!” cried the people, “and now it’s up to us to make sure that happens!”
//
Let us pray:
God, you pour out mercy until our hearts overflow. God, help us see that your hope is more than we can ever imagine. Amen.
**offering**
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