Branches and Rocks

Wednesday, April 26, 2006 -- Week of 2 Easter

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this link -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 959)
Psalms 119:1-24 (morning) // 12, 13, 14 (afternoon)
Exodus 15:22 - 16:10
1 Peter 2:1-10
John 15:1-11

*(if these readings seem especially familiar; I mis-read the Prayer Book and used them last Wednesday)

Two metaphors appear in our epistle and gospel readings -- the vine & branches and the stones that build a temple.

Jesus invites us to understand our relationship with the divine to be as nurturing and intimate as a branch's relationship to the vine. We are to be branches, receiving our life and energy from the vine, grounded in the life-giving soil of the earth, growing naturally under the gifts of sun and rain and the Spirit's wind. Sometimes I have meditated in that metaphor. I can feel my connectedness with the divine life, God's energy and presence flowing in and through me like life from the vine. I can let the gifts of eternal light and living water and Holy Spirit surround and penetrate me with vitality and being. Grounded in the rooted depths of the unmovable source, I can be, and the fruit of good living seems to come forth of itself.

The Epistle of Peter speaks of us as a spiritual house built of living stones, Christ himself the chief cornerstone. There is a local builder who uses stone, primarily for rock walls and retainers, but I have seen the same techniques in old pioneers' stone cabins. He carefully observes the sizes and shapes of each rock that he may use. Every one must fit as precisely as possible. From time to time he will chip or divide a stone, taking off a piece that will not fit into a sound structure, or dividing a rock into a more accessible shape. He is so effective at matching shapes that he doesn't use any mortar or concrete. Just rocks that fit together beautifully.

Such are the pieces of our lives, a spiritual house built of living stones. How congruent are the various parts of our day? Do we fit our actions together in such a way that they are laid upon a sound foundation and fit together into a functional whole?

I remember a parable about a wealthy Lord who came to two of his subjects and asked each to build him a house. Spare no expense, he said. Find the finest locations upon my estates, and use whatever materials you need. I will pay for everything. The two builders set to work, but in very different spirits. One followed the instruction of the owner and with meticulous care created a dwelling of profound quality and beauty. The other cut corners to suit his convenience and used materials that were quick and easy.

When the two were finished, they presented themselves to the Lord with the keys to the homes. "Thank you for your good work for me," said the owner. "Now, let me give to each of you the key to the house that you have made. Though you built them for me, they will be your homes to live in for the rest of your lives."

Each moment of the day is like a living stone that we are laying to build the temple of our lives. What attention and care and quality do we bring to our building, what workmanship or art, what material and spirit? What you build is what you get.

The branch receives life from the vine. Each stone becomes part of the building. "I am the vine, you are the branches," says Jesus. "Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house," says Peter.

These are not just individualistic metaphors, but also metaphors for any community or society. The kind of congregation or nation we will be is dramatically affected by our relationship with divine purpose and by the quality of our workmanship. As a people, will we bring forth good fruit, for what we build is what we will get?