Conversation Point

In This Moment

Signs and Superstitions

Today is Friday the thirteenth, one of those days people joke about, and then hop out of the way of the lightening bolt they assume will strike. It is a day to walk around teetering ladders, adjust poorly-hung mirrors, wait to pet stray black cats, and stay away from anything else connected to superstitious feat and consequence. While most people will tell you they don't believe in these and other bits of residual medieval wisdom, there are a lot more people who will use them as insurance measures, behaviors to avoid or embrace, "just in case." Broken mirrors may not welcome bad luck into our lives, but someone has to clean up the mess, so avoiding that situation can only be a good thing, right? I suspect there is a connection between these superstition watches and the deeply felt human need to pay attention for signs as a way to discern how our lives are going, and how much God is paying attention to us. We are a people who crave concrete, immediate feedback before we are willing to move onto the next step.

Jesus appears to have understood human nature quite well in this regard. As much pressure as his followers, and especially his disciples, placed on him to predict the future and describe the details of the Messiah's reign in militaristic terms, Jesus gently, but firmly, diverted his listeners to consider their faith in common images and everyday occurrences. While desperately seeking answers to how long they would continue to suffer under Roman rule, Jesus offered them the avenue by which to understand, to believe, and to embody the kingdom that would overthrow their oppressors. Even as these ancient people were looking for signs of the kingdom, they were being given the kingdom itself.

Jesus taught his followers to understand that the kingdom of God was a pearl, a hidden treasure, each so valuable their presence would be kept secret until the discoverers could sell everything they owned to make the purchase. Jesus encouraged them to believe that the kingdom of God was a mustard seed that would grow so large it would house a community of God's creatures, and yeast that expanded a pile of dough to become a fragrant, crusty loaf of bread. Jesus showed them that to embody the kingdom of God they must hold onto their strength by being salt, by reflecting the light that God was shining into their lives through Jesus' ministry.

Being no different than you or I, these people of ancient Israel stumbled over these ideas, perplexed by the benign quality of Jesus' illustrations. How can something as glorious as God's kingdom be displayed in salt, yeast, or a huge, weedy plant? How can anyone recognize the kingdom of God so clearly as to give up everything to purchase it? How do we live our lives once we have only God's kingdom to show for it? These are our life questions too.

While looking for God's grand gestures in psychic visions and mercurial revelations, God's hand is at work, rebuilding the ravaged countries of Indonesia, Pakistan, Guatemala, and the Gulf Coast of the United States. Understand that God's kingdom is found in communities of people in which it is worthwhile to invest. Know that as we strain to force God's timing, the rhythm of creation is healing attitudes and teaching us the meaning of the cycle of life, death and resurrection. Believe that the kingdom of God is ever-present, ongoing, continuous. See what comes of fearful action and consequence, but do not become a victim of what you feel is out of your control. Embody the kingdom of God in your thoughts, words, deeds, and your faith.

We like to believe, as did our spiritual ancestors, that signs will point the way for us, so we will know where to head next. Jesus knew parables would not give answers, but would evoke discussion, and encourage a growing reliance on faith. We can continue to deny the relationship between everyday living and the extraordinary grace of God's presence among us by darting about after every flicker of false hope that catches our eye. If we continue that pattern we surely will miss the opportunity to understand, believe, and embody the light of faith that already is the kingdom of God within us. And, indeed, "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)."


Until next time, God's blessings.

posted by Cory L. Kemp @ 2:05 PM