Our theme for the weekend was a “Celtic Rhythm for Life.” We
talked about developing a life practice that allows us to live a balanced life
full of appreciation for all we see and hear. Nature has its own rhythm. I
awaken to birdsong every morning. Last thing at night I watch the bats darting
in and out of our trees.
In the introduction to the weekend +Andy said, “Life is
shaped by the sun and moon and stars, in daily and monthly rhythms, and by the
yearly cycles of nature in its seasons and changes.”
Today the gospel reading reflects part of this rhythm seen
in nature. The text is two of a series of parables in the gospel of Mark (4:
26-34) which talk about what the Realm of God is like.
The first parable reads that the Realm of God is as if “someone has scattered seed on the ground and
would sleep and rise, night and day.”
Can you hear the rhythm? “Sleep and rise, night and day.” “Sleep
and rise, night and day.” It is the basic rhythm of all of our lives, sleeping
and getting up. It is the basic rhythm of nature, night and day. It is within
this rhythm that grow takes place.
The second parable in today’s reading is that of the mustard
seed which grows into a tree. Again we can see the same rhythm. The seed is
sown and with the passing of time and seasons it grows into a tree.
When we went camping in France one of the wonderful sights
to behold was the mustard fields. You can see miles and miles of fields of
bright yellow mustard flowers stretching as far as the eye can see. Truly
magnificent! However, I don’t think that is the mustard seed mentioned in the
text. I think this parable is referring to the mustard
tree (Salvadora persica.) This tree originated in Persia which now is Iran. It
grows commonly in the Middle East and Africa. It is not technically a tree but
an evergreen bush, a shrub which grows to twenty feet high. It has yellow-green
flowers. The edible fruit is purple with pink or purple seeds
I have blogged in the past about the mustard tree so don’t
intend to repeat the details but this tree is known for many properties. It is
used for food, for healing, for cleansing, for shelter and for protection. In both the parables, the stories tell of something that grows
from a seed. It is not a fast growth. It is a growth that happens in the rhythm
of day and night, sun and rain, winter and summer.
That is how we envision the community. It grows in the rhythm of life. Many years ago
the seeds were planted. We were content, and still are content, to just keep to
the rhythm and let the community grow slowly. It is enough just to be. We have always
likened the way we grow to the old monastic tradition. We would just be around,
a presence largely hidden and if someone discovers the community, likes what
they see and hear and want to join, they come and, metaphorically, knock at the
door. And keep knocking, and then keep
hanging round, maybe after a few months or a year they would decide to join us.
We were delighted to welcome Tony and Thomas as novices in the community this
year.
Yet, growth isn’t just about growth of the community. It is
about our personal growth (and not just growth from eating the abundance of
food Casowasco have provided us with!). Growth and maturity are important. How
do we grow? How do we mature? It is by developing our own life practice, by
finding, and keeping to our rhythm. We have talked a lot this weekend about
finding or recognizing rhythm. We became more aware of the rhythms in all the
busyness of own daily lives. We have practiced the rhythm of meditation and
silence. We have talked about the rhythm of the church’s calendar. We have
experienced the rhythm of the daily office, interspersing our day with times of
prayer and reflection. We have opened our eyes to see the rhythm reflected in
the natural world with the seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter. We
recognized the importance of the rhythm of rest and re-creation.
It is in the finding and keeping to the rhythm of our own life
practice that we experience growth. In the parables, ultimately, the result of
growth is harvest or fruit. The harvest provides food. It is the harvest that
gives us strength and nourishment and it is the harvest that is shared to feed others.
It always happens when we get together, various people share
about their lives, and I am amazed how many are in ministries that care for
those who are hurting and in need of healing and protection. The sharing of
lives in this way is the result of the rhythm of the life practice, it is the
abundance of the harvest.
However, harvest is not an end in itself. It is not a linear process with a start and a
finish. It is the cyclical nature of the rhythm of our lives that is important.
Remember, the harvest also produces the seed and the circle continues and repeats. It is
the rhythm of our lives.
