A Shoot Shall Sprout

December 2, 2008

Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. Isaiah 11:1b-4a

Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. Luke 10:23

Piety

Thank you for my garden, Lord, and for each tiny seed that sprouts and blooms so beautifully to fill my soul's true need. Thank you for the pleasure, Lord, I find here on bended knee for my garden's glory surely is a blessing sent from Thee. I see Your love reflected in the color of every bloom; a rainbow of Your splendor in every tint and hue. Each tiny, dew-drop coated bud a promise of Your love, nurtured by warm, summer sun You send from up above. I thank You for the gentle rain that that feeds the dry, parched earth and freshens air and leaf and tree and gives each one new birth. I thank You for the gentle breeze that bends each “petal”-ed head and gently carries butterflies throughout my flower bed. I ask You for Your Blessing, Lord, upon my little plot of land, may it grow and flourish guided by Your hand. Thank you for the pleasure, Lord, I find here on bended knee, and in each flower that blossoms as a blessing sent from Thee. Amen. (The Gardener’s Prayer)

Study

My grandfather’s were both vegetable gardeners. After a day at work (for P & G and ConEd, respectively), they would till the soil in their yards until a bumper crop of vegetables would be harvested…tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and more. Usually more than my mother or grandmother cared to “put up” for the winter. However, after the summer harvest would turn over its bounty, they would begin preparing in the winter for the next growing season. Under the glass of the greenhouse, they would prepare their plants for springtime.

When the summer crop offered an exceptionally large tomato (for example), they would not let us eat it until they took the seeds. They figured that from the seeds of such a healthy specimen, an even more wondrous plant would grow. So the winter became a time for planting these seeds until a little sprout would appear. The sprout in the greenhouse cup would eventually make it into the dark soil of the garden. Although neither had formal background in botany, biology or agricultural science, each one knew a big, healthy, tasty tomato when one appeared in front of their eyes.

These family gardeners were like the people of Israel. While the gardeners awaited the fruits of their labors, the Jews awaited the long promised king. When he arrived, only some of the people recognized that this was the savior promised to them long ago. They knew what to do with the seeds of knowledge that he shared so freely. Others did not know what to make of the gift before them. They felt threatened.

The wise and the learned (a.k.a. the scribes and Pharisees) were most threatened by this gift. They rejected Jesus, his preaching and the significance of his mighty deeds. However, those who were not so learned have accepted them with the innocence of children. Acceptance depends upon the Father’s revelation, but is granted to those who are open to receive it in the moment and refused to the arrogant and to those who put other things before the experience of the moment. No amount of piety, study and action can take the place of humility, obedience and acceptance.

Wisdom and understanding are gifts of the Spirit. They can not be obtained like some university degree. They can not be grown like some tomato in the garden. They and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed by Isaiah are granted by the grace of God. Jesus speaks of all mysteries because he is the Son and he has perfect knowledge of the Father. He can choose to reveal that knowledge to whomever he wishes based upon their faith.

Once we are filled with this “perfect knowledge” which no book, course or mentor can impart, then the Earth will return to the idyllic setting of the garden, of Eden. As Isaiah writes: “There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.” Peace and tranquility and justice will flow like water through the land.

Action

Are you ready to accept the knowledge offered by the Lord? Do you listen with the ear of your heart or does your mind still get in the way? Have a nice big juicy tomato in your salad or sliced up on your sandwich today. Thank the gardener-farmer who grew it and the workers who delivered it to you.