Today’s Thought ~ The Kernel, the Ear, and the Stalk A look at the role of communion and friendship This was something that I originally put together for an online game that I am involved in. The game is set in the Renaissance period in England. In the game I play a member of the Church’s clergy. The church is loosely based on a cross between the Roman Catholic Church and what we know today as the Church of England. I felt though that this writing was a good thing to share here as well. I hope you all enjoy it.—Larry. As we approach a time when we are called to reflect upon the Messiah Jesus Christ, we are called to reflect upon many things and in some cases to fast. Today is one of those days for me. Many clergy and aspirants to become clergy call these days, Ember days. The days specifically are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Each Ember Day is a day of fast and abstinence to thank God for the gifts of ministry, for creation, the call to moderation, and to assist the needy. Since Ember Days are tied to the changing of the seasons, they are also a time to pray for each season to be sanctified by God. Traditionally Ember Days also have an aspect of being a time of deep prayer for the clergy and for those who so aspire. As such, during this time of reflection I wish to address a metaphor to being in the connected to the body and the world wide Communion that I first wrote about in the game just over a year ago. Many of us as we read, study, and reflect upon the words given to all of mankind in the Bible we often see references to vines, the vineyard, and being grafted into a branch of the vine. For many of us that is not something we can fathom as we have never seen a true vineyard and have no way to picture what Christ was attempting to teach us. Therefore I like to use something that is easily known and understood by us and is a key part of many of our lives, a simple ear of corn. I know many will raise an eyebrow and voice the thought, “what does corn have to do with the Anglican Communion or the Church Universal?” Corn my dear friends is a very good metaphor for looking at the role of fellowship and being connected to a believing community through Christ Jesus. At first this may be hard to comprehend, but I believe I can paint this picture a bit more to help you to see how God works. Each of us, whether we wish to accept it or not, believe in God or not, are individual kernels of corn. Left to our own devices and apart from God, we, like that kernel of corn become hardened dried up, and unable to sustain ourselves or others. That separated kernel has become separated from the waters of life. Now if that single kernel is with God and has put its faith and trust in Jesus, then it has the waters of life to nourish it, and has the potential to create many new kernels and ears of corn. God has also instructed us through His words and the Words given unto the prophets that we are to be a part of a church coming together for joint worship, praise and study, and to be in communion with other members of the body spread out across all lands. This is where the ear of corn comes in. Each ear of corn is an example of the local parish and church. It has several individual kernels brought together around a central core of beliefs (the cob) and together they grow and have the ability to sustain many. This growth and ability to sustain others can only be done if they are plugged into the power of the Holy Spirit. When the ear first forms it is small with but a few large kernels. As it is nurtured and supported by the Holy Spirit, the Waters of Life, and being part of a larger communion that ear grows and matures. If it is not nurtured or supported, then the ear does not mature and is not able to support growth and is either cut off or it withers away. True believers are part of an active church and partake of and help support the local parish and town. Much like the ear of corn can feed and sustain many, the local church is able to spiritually feed and sustain many, if not most, of the members of the local town and parish. What is also key is sometimes that ear of corn is not all uniform in how it is laid out, or in some cases of the same appearances. Some ears have many different shapes and colors of individual kernels that make up the actual ear of corn. I prefer to reflect on these types of ears as they truly represent the Church. Several different people of different colors, shapes, and sizes make up each congregation and that improves the quality for all. However, none of this can take place unless the ear is plugged into the stalk. The stalk to me is a perfect representation here of what Christ stated when he talked about the vine. It is the stalk that supports, sustains, feeds, and grows the ears and thus the individual kernels. Those ears that are plugged into the stalk grow, mature, and lead to the plantings of future offspring of the stalk. Those that aren’t are gathered up and tossed into the fire. Such is the way with those who are followers of Jesus. Unless we take the time to be in communion with each other and to be in fellowship in the ways Jesus has instructed us, our eternal souls become cut off from the life giving source that is Jesus. While we may not be aware of his presence he is there and we need his involvement in our lives. The kernel is dependent on the ear, the ear is dependent on the stalk, and the stalk is plugged into God, the giver and creator of all life. Consider all of this as you take the time to sit and look for God and listen for what he has to say to you and for you. Then reflect on what he has given unto you and what you need to do to ensure the growth of your kernel, your ear, and the grand stalk that is life in and with Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. I will leave you with this saying that I have adopted from a quote that I can no longer remember who started. “Your vision will become clear only when you look to see God within your heart and then listen to what he has to say. He who looks outside of his heart and away from God, dreams. He who looks inside his heart and searches out God, awakens.” The question now is where are you looking? Amen
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 13:36:10 +0000
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