For the Wild & Holy
This week, we observe the advent of peace.
Below, you’ll find one scripture, one poem, and a blessing. I don’t offer much commentary but invite you to ponder them each throughout your week.
The scripture comes from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew was one of Jesus’ disciples, but before being called by Jesus, he was a tax collector. Because of this past profession, much of his gospel is preoccupied with Jesus’ teachings on status, money, and wealth. This scripture is no exception.
The poem is a classic from Wendell Berry, a poet known for his work on sustainability and the environment.
I hope the pairing guides you in your pursuit of peace as you begin this advent season.
Matthew 6:25-34 – Peace be Upon You, for Why Worry?
“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
“Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matt. 6:25-34 MSG)
The Peace of Wild Things
By Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
A Blessing for Your Advent of Peace
Child of God,
When worries build within you
and you wonder what to wear, eat, buy, or say,
May God bring you peace. May God bring you rest.
When despair for the world grows in you,
May the peace of wild things overcome you
And may the grace of the world take your breath away
and set you free.
And when you lie awake at night,
Worrying for you, your children, your grand children and beyond,
May that wild peace of God,
that surpasses all understanding,
come upon you,
telling you always that you are holy;
That you are enough.
Amen.
Rev. Kelsey Sherazi 