In Sunday’s gospel God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world. The Old Testament lesson will be from Genesis, chapter 25. In the story, although Jacob was younger than his twin, Esau, he eventually takes the birthright away from his brother. Jacob is portrayed in the Bible as deceptive, gripping his brother when he came out of the womb and driving a hard bargain by buying the birthright for a bowl of lentil soup.
Thought for the Week:
Improv is fun to watch sometimes. Perhaps you have seen the show, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” The key to improv is “Yes, And…” — that is, accepting your scene partner’s reality (the “Yes”) and building on it by adding new information (the “And”).
This week finds me in Indianapolis with Deacon Margy and our daughter, Pastor Becca. While they have been attending the ELCA Rostered Ministers Conference every day, I have been playing Grandpa with granddaughter Eleanor. It struck me this week as we were taking a walk together how being with a three year old is sort of like playing improv. As we walked she insisted on pushing the stroller, not riding in it. And, in the stroller was an invisible person we’ll just call “baby.” we often stopped while the baby needed this or that, or wanted to go swimming in the nearby water, etc. It was quite the adventure which was helped by my often saying “Yes, and…” Getting into her reality.
Maybe “Yes, and…” is a good way to think about sharing the gospel.
We enter into another’s reality and begin where they are – just as Jesus did!
I’ll see you Sunday.
Have a blessed week.
God loves you and so do I, as the old saying goes,
Pastor Rich
Leave a Reply