Brian’s Reflection: Sunday, June 14, 2009

[ 2nd Sunday after Pentecost ]

Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. ….. He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."

- from Mark 4, for Pentecost II, Year B

No one religion will produce the results that these two little parables of Jesus yearn for.

What is the “seed” that is to be scattered? I would say, it is the recognition of the sacred quality and nature of ALL Life, people, rocks, plants, all things. What is the “earth” on which this seed must be scattered? I would say, human hearts which have been stunned by the fragile beauty of What Exists, from which pours a cascade of Awe, Compassion and Empathy.

I believe that this is what Jesus – and His God – want. Not religions. Not “churches”. Not Ulema. Not anything - unless it leads to human beings shocked by an intimation of holiness which shatters the Ego and opens the floodgates of Love for things seen and unseen.

You may have a specific path – and there are very very many. At the heart of each is the mustard seed of Wonder at the beauty of Life. Together they can grow a place where all can live in Peace, in Justice, in profound respect for everything that exists.

I believe the new age has come. Time for us all to nurture the mustard seed.

Brian+