Scripture Reflection for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 18, 2004
Barking Up the Wrong Tree
One of the coolest parts of Disney's Animal Kingdom amusement park is the gigantic "tree of life." On the trees branches (which are actually made out of cement, I think) are "carvings" of every animal imaginable. Trees have always captured our imagination for their life-giving properties, and in today's readings trees give shade and teach us about service.
Abraham's Family Tree
In the first reading today, Abraham has houseguests. Sure it might not seem like it would take a lot to get ready for guests when you live in a tent, but when God comes calling with three other guys (angels maybe) your place had better look immaculate. With Sarah's help, Abraham bathes the feet of the guests and has them rest under a tree. Because of his hospitality, the visitors say that within a year, Sarah will have a child.
Now personally, if three guys came over and told me that within a year my wife would be pregnant, I don't think I'd let them back into my house . . . if you know what I mean. However, the message of this story is that when you take care of your guests well, you are really taking care of God.
So this is a story of two trees -- the one that the well-cared for men sat under, and the family tree from which will sprout the kingdom of Israel.
Becoming Enlightened
Another tree from which great things came was the tree in which Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, sat under. Siddhartha was a rich prince who saw the poverty and plagues of the world and wanted to do something about it.
He decided to sit under a tree and not leave until he knew the truth of life. Under that tree, Siddhartha discovered the Great Enlightenment. His life changed and he went about preaching and helping people from their suffering, in much the same way Jesus later did.
Resting at the Savior's Feet
Jesus is our Tree of Life, and it is in him that we can find shade and comfort. In the gospel, Martha is upset with Mary because Mary is just sitting at Jesus's feet and not helping out. Jesus says that Mary's choice is better.
While this may seem to contradict the message of the story of Abraham, it actually shows the same idea in a different light. In the time of Jesus, the one who sat at the foot of the rabbi was the eager student. Mary is that eager student, wanting to learn all she can from Jesus. Martha is the one worried about earthily things. She has deadlines, she has bottom lines, and she has a Franklin planner.
This is not the way of God. God doesn't follow the rules of time. God's time is in the now. It is the ability of Abraham to drop everything to help the travelers that brought God's favor. It is Siddhartha's ability to take time out to discover his purpose that made him enlightened. And lastly, it is Mary's ability to leave her worries behind and learn from Jesus that allowed her to succeed.
So find a tree this summer and plop down. May you feel peace within its shade as its branches extend to heaven.
Life Application:
Where do you find God? What can you do to find God in other places?
How do you serve God? How do you serve God's people?
Which to you is more important: service or knowledge? How has this shaped who you are?
Copyright 2004 by Nick Popadich
All rights reserved.
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