Jesus used metaphors drawn from nature and stories to teach people about who He was, who God was, and what the kingdom of God was about. His teaching style is fascinating to study. Jesus was very different from what his listeners conceptualized God to be. He did not use lofty language and grand proclamations in his preaching and teaching. He stayed away from intellectual arguments. His simple lessons were ones people could relate to, taught in stories all could understand, and most importantly, spoke to the conditions of their hearts.
In two of the gospels, writers Matthew and Luke narrate Jesus’ efforts to encourage his followers to think about lilies, how they grow. Without much effort on their part, lilies appear resplendent and beautiful in the world. To the Jewish people of the dusty province of Galilee, King Solomon was legendary. Stories of King Solomon’s fame, his achievements, his wealth and gold, his lavish lifestyle, his numerous wives and children, and his poetry and godly wisdom surely took root in their imaginations as they were passed down through the generations. King Solomon, larger than life, would have been culturally embedded in their minds and hearts as the epitome of human splendor and majestic glory. He was greater than all the kings in the earth in both possessions and wisdom.
Within this common understanding, Jesus says a startling thing. A simple, yet unique flower possesses a beauty that far surpasses the splendor and wisdom of Israel’s greatest king. Jesus tells the crowd that God dresses the lily with so much beauty it outshines the full array of Solomon’s glory.
Jesus’ message is timeless, speaking powerfully into lives over the centuries. These ancient words remind his followers today to consider the lilies. How they grow. And how they do not have to work to burst out in shimmering color. And the reason for that.
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Manna
God selected a choice group people for a special relationship from the beginning. Starting with Abraham and branching out to generations, these people were the ones, of all the peoples of the earth, that God singles out to be a holy people to Him. For you are a holy people to the LORD your God,
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Mystical Body
There is something about going to church. I experienced this last night, in the middle of the week. I knew there was an advent service being held. Advent is not new to me, in fact, it comes up every year. The songs, readings, and homilies all have a familiar theme, around the events leading up
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A Piece of the Kingdom
Who can forget playing “king of the hill” as a kid? This game could be played anywhere there was a bump in the earth, aka a hill. While everyone aspired to get to the top of the hill and be ‘king’, only the toughest, strongest, largest, or tallest won. By virtue of his (or her)
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Consider the Geese
At this time of year in the northeast, a simple three-mile jog can feel like a climb up Mount Everest. Not only are the temperatures chilling, the wind icy, and the other joggers few, but the scenery has changed considerably from a short month ago. I have an idealic spot to jog. A perfect 5K
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Christmas Expectations
The way we celebrate the holidays. Just that thought, alone, probably jogged your brain into countless memories of Christmas past. Everybody has them. Ready or not, the Christmas mode rolls around the day after thanksgiving. It feels a little forced. Dust off the ornaments in the basement. Pull out the lights. Balsam. Berries. Red and
Consider the Lilies 
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