Isaiah 55”10-13           

Matthew 13:1-9;18-23             

July 16, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

“Sowing, and Plowing, and Building
“A sower went out to sow.”

“Listen”, Jesus starts.

“A sower went out to sow.”

He could have said, a farmer went out to tend to his herd or a seamstress went out to buy some cloth. Each of them using their different gifts to enhance their lives and those around them. But Jesus chose to tell a story about spreading seeds on soil. 

In 2021, I attended a Lenten Day of reflection at Wittel Farm, our first connection with the farm. I was there with Bill Wealand, Jan’s dad, where we reflected on this passage. Pastor Matt taught this lesson by having us literally go out into the garden that brisk spring morning and throw rye seeds in an open part of the field. 

It was odd, at first, not have a particular row or patch to place the seeds. But, there was a liberty about being able to just let the seeds fall where they may, with no judgement, no need to control or correct. They were to become ground cover replacing nutrients in the soil.

I wonder if we might consider people in sort of the same way, similarly scattered, on all kinds of soil -in many places and situations, among ethnicities and with individual synchronicities, habits and preferences and traditions. Sometimes we get kind of “judgey” about people’s circumstances but that’s not part of Jesus’ commissioning. He told us to love God and love our neighbor when he sends us.

You’ve heard the catch phrase, the humble challenge to “bloom where you are planted.” So, wherever God scatters us or wherever God sends us out on the winds into the world, we are to bloom, to grow in the blessings of sun and rain, to take care of one another and to tend the soil, the community, where we’re planted - whether it’s a lifetime, or a year or a week.

Today, we will send out our mission team to care for others on behalf of Christ Church and in the name of Jesus Christ. We will expect them to tend the soil of that community with kind words, with patience for one another, with generosity towards those with whom they work. 

In my study of this passage, I learned about the ancient Palestinian farming practice to simply toss the seeds wherever they may land and then go back to till the soil. It sounds backward now, but that was the practice then. And, so we go to where people are, where they’ve been planted; and help in any way we can, tending the soil in God’s name. 

Earlier this month, I attended the 34^th General Synod and I have a new view of what it means to be called by the Divine Heart of Love as a laborer. I was invited to be a substitute clergy delegate and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Did any of you watch it online? 

The next one will be in Kansas City in 2025. I ask you to consider going as a visitor. I saw the diversity of this denomination, fully on display. I experienced the sensitivity of the United Church of Christ for those whom we would serve. Hearing about it and seeing it on a larger scale, the humility of leaders and the determination that we show God’s love to everyone, is really informative and transformative.

It’s hard to put into words succinctly, so I invite you to consider going. It’s a great way to learn about YOUR church’s historic work in repairing injustices and following Jesus.

It’s a place where I got to see a larger glimpse of what God’s world could be like. It’s where I felt a sense of “Yes, God is still speaking!” and also that humbly “I’m enough, just as I am, to be sent in Jesus’ name.” Even as I worry about how others judge me., God loves me. That’s an epiphany for others to know about too. To know that people might discriminate against them, or fear them or turn them away, but God loves them, sees them and cares about them. That is God’s nature.

The resolutions brought before the 34^th General Synod taught me the importance of seeing people not in categories but as individuals with desires and challenges in their lives. People who want to be loved for who they are, even with their problems. And God does love them.

God, the Sower, has scattered people on the earth,. Some may be in good communities, and some may have fallen on hard times. We know from the past few weeks of lectionary readings that God sends us into the fields to labor for and with those in need, and side note: the laborers are scarce,
 
In the language: of making resolutions, may I suggest that whereas there is need for laborers, and whereas we are able, let it therefore, be it resolved that we shall go in Christ’s name to care for people, to tend to their needs as we find them. We are called to go to whoever needs to hear of God’s love, withholding any judgement and offering life changing compassion.

I was randomly selected to work on the Resolution calling for advocacy and healing of individuals impacted by substance use. This Resolution calling for harm reduction measures was overwhelmingly approved by the delegates on Monday morning. 

It calls on UCC congregations to adopt covenants to commit to harm reduction practices and build communities of care in partnership with people who have lived and are living with the experience of substance use. It calls on us to see the devastation that addiction creates in someone’s life and to reach out with actions and words that say, “Hold on! God loves you. Please live another day so you can know this for yourself.” 

As we say, “No matter who you are, or where you are on your life’s journey”, the good news is that God sees you. God knows your name. God yearns for you as their dearly beloved child. 

That’s why the mission team is going to help at the Fuller Center in New York this week. Without questioning who will receive the work of our hands, we go. I’d like to invite Jason Henry to share his thoughts on his experiences going out into the world as a youth and why it’s important to your own faith journey. 

[Jason Henry’s testimony.]

 To embody Christ’s love, we use what means we have: our prayers, our money, our writing and the physical work needed to care for others. Let me end with this poem:

 ________________

Bless This Body
 
Bless these feet Lord, so that as they walk me into my work, I do not trample, kick or crush.

Bless my legs Lord, so that they carry me into the world with courage, a sense of purpose and endurance.

Bless my hips, Beloved, that I may sway and dance, rise and work, press and love to the fullest.

Caress my spine, O God, to strengthen it with patience and flexibility, with stamina and compassion.

Cradle my shoulders, Divine Yoke, so that the burdens I carry are light.

Help me to reach up and over and out and then fold in on those who need protection and comfort.

Make my arms long enough to extend an invitation to someone who is hurting.

Bless the work of my hands

   In the cupping of fingers, 

       In the stroking of hair,

          In the threading of needles

Multiply the fruits of my hands

        While listening to others and providing comfort

           While opening doors and building homes

              While earning money to support families
 
Oh Divine Presence, be in my head, my mouth and my heart so that I live from out of a higher dimension while I am incorporated in this human body. And, for my part, I will release this body to your service. Amen.