Ezekiel 17:22-24
Proper 6 (11) - Year B
Ezekiel 17:22-24 or 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
A play between the unexpected leadership of the youngest and the rooting of a cedar's growth tip.
In the first instance every institution desires to clone itself at its maturation level and to develop the kind of leaders that are currently present. To turn things on its head is to move back to the movement level, pre-institution. Here creation of the next day of creation is clearer. This is a case of evening and morning, in that sequence. [It would be nice to have the luxury of another comment here about claiming to have no criteria for selection and having handsomeness be sufficient to be noted. That connection will have to wait for another day.] But here we reprise beginnings, with all the attendant uncertainty and subsequent errors to focus simply on the unexpectedness of a new beginning.
In the second instance we note information about a Cedar from the web "Vegetative Reproduction- Cuttings may be rooted with relative ease. A recommended practice is to use cuttings from tips of major branches from the lower crown of young trees, taken from December to February.... Most reproduction, however, is from seed."
Again there is the unexpected process. Instead of propagation from a typical seeding route we have a cutting route. From being a vulnerable part of the tree, with no strength of years ringed around, it becomes the central spot of strength around which new years of growth circle and widen. All would probably be well here if we posit a once-for-all G*D setting things in motion and hiding secret doctrine deep within an institution. When we look at the sweep of scripture, however, we find this cutting process to go on and on and on -- new beginnings from old institutions goes on and on and on.
A call to us, still, is to find new leadership for a new way [are you willing for that to be you?] and to rely upon a tip of new growth rather than the accumulation of rigid doctrine that is good for seeing growth rings, but then can add nothing new [are you willing to be moved beyond that which birthed you?].
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2006/june2006.html
Ezekiel 17:22-24 or 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20 or Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17
Mark 4:26-34
How long will we grieve? Poor Samuel didn't have Elisabeth Kubler-Ross to lead him through any stages. It was get up and get on.
Ezekiel's image doesn't progress through any particular process. There is an intervention, a sprig is planted, a vision established, a journey given to participate in.
For the Psalmist G*D is present before any trouble is on the horizon, during such trouble as arises, and after any trouble has left its mark.
Paul reminds us of the importance of viewpoint. From some vantage points a new creation can be glimpsed that guide our interactions more strongly than the pain of the past.
Seeds have been planted that grow through their usual stages. They can also grow unbidden and unattended to surprise us with a harvest. These seeds do their work through time and beyond time to bring a new perspective from hardened ground. If watered only by tears, yet they flower and fruit.
Where are you in one of your griefs? Ready or not, a sprig has been planted on a dark crag of that mysterious mountain in your life.
- - -
molehills are real
our shape different
because of them
they loom when near
shrink with distance
perspective bound
mother-may-I baby steps
seven-league strides
both bring new views
one for me and one for you
both together
stretching togetherness
recovering from a trip
to grief
and beyond
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html
The small are great; the great, small. This turn around will be home to many.
A majestic cedar dances with a lowly mustard. In both cases, when you have the eyes to see, life blossoms and flourishes.
Birds are a wonderful symbol of our life extended. From Genesis 1:20 onward birds specifically show G*D at work. "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky." In 1:26 we are to be in relation to the birds – good old "dominion" or "partnership". 7:3 reminds us that the birds are related to "clean animals" that symbolically draw us closer to G*D.
A bird brought a sign of new life after a flood. Job appeals to birds who evidence G*D (12:7). Psalm 78:27 reminds us of the quail in the desert, G*D "rained flesh upon them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas". Ecclesiastes 9:12 equates the demise of birds with that of humans.
The prophets continue to find connections between birds and ourselves. Isaiah 31:5 equates birds with G*D partners in creation who watch over it. Jeremiah 4:25 shows how desolate life is becoming with even birds having flown the coop. Ezekiel 31 has the cedars of Lebanon populated by birds as a sign of blessing and Daniel 4 sees a similar great tree at the center of the earth, well nested with birds – signs of restoration. Hosea 4 has a new covenant witnessed by the birds of the air, remembering a first creation covenant.
Matthew 6: "Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
Mark 4: "…yet when mustard seed 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."
Acts 10: Peter's vision of inclusion includes birds.
Revelation 19: "Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly in midheaven, "Come, gather for the great supper of God. . . ." to clear away the decay and make way for a new heaven and a new earth. It would have been a nice touch to have the leaves of the tree of life show the healing of the land by the nesting of birds, but John's vision fell just a bit short of rounding things out.
At any rate – where are the birds in your life nesting these days? In your cedar grandeur? In your mustard weediness? On the horizon? In your soul? Watch for the birds and catch a glimpse of G*D's presence.
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