The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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The Parable of the Mustard Seed
He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade” (Mark 4:30-32).
Parables are a powerful tool used by Jesus to communicate the coming of God’s reign and the coming of the Kingdom. They are compelling stories of everyday people that often surprise us. Who would expect the Prodigal Son to be met with open arms by his father after wasting his inheritance? What a surprise that the man that is robbed and beaten does not receive help from the priest, but from the hated Samaritan? Who would expect the greatest shrub to come from a tiny seed? Parables have the ability to change the way we see the world and therefore are able to transform us into seeing from the divine perspective instead of through our normal cultural lenses. God’s reign spreads from a spark to a wild fire when we hear, accept, and grow in God’s love. Even a seed as small as the mustard seed will flourish when it is sown in the ground. I see the mustard seed as the love of God that is sown in our hearts. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that everyone that believes may have eternal life. Jesus love is sown into all of our hearts and each of us can, have, and will do amazing things. From small beginnings come great things through the power of God. Today’s Gospel demonstrates God’s mystery and power in commonplace events and activities.
In last week’s sermon, I used Mark’s question of “who is Jesus? “It is somewhat ironic that the disciples heard the parables in the Gospel of Mark and then showed us what not to do by their actions. It is important to see the literary context of this Gospel. The rhetorical effect of asking these questions is that the reader must look for their own answer. To heighten this rhetorical effect, Mark portrays the disciples as totally unaware of who Jesus is. The audience now shares the enlightened viewpoint of Jesus with the narrator. We therefore need to approach the passage within the context of this irony and Mark’s overall purpose in this Gospel. We cannot just look at the passage from a historical perspective. Mark isn’t just trying to tell us a story. Mark challenges us to answer the question, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Peter denies Jesus three times before hiding in the upper room during the crucifixion. When Mary comes and tells the disciples that “he is risen,” they don’t believe a word of it (until they meet Jesus themselves in Galilee). This is one of the great lessons in the Gospel of Mark. Sometimes a mustard plant might look like a weed, but when we nurture it and take care of the plant it can grow to be a twelve foot shrub.
We too can have our doubts at certain points in our lives. Many churches act like the disciples and do exactly the opposite of what God asks them to do. Most of us get off the path at various times in our lives. This is why the Word of God is vital and daily prayer is so important. God loves us unconditionally and offers us the way, the truth, and the life through the Gospels and through the parables of Jesus Christ. They ring true yesterday, today, and always because they were uttered by God to keep us on the path. When we let scriptures wash over us and when we enter into the unexpected story of the parable, God is able to do amazing things through us. I am thankful for the sinners and saints that have preceded us in the past 276 years at St. John’s. May the Holy Spirit guide us this day and always to God’s path.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
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Join us for Sunday Worship at 8am and 10am in the church or remotely on Zoom or Facebook. Face masks, social distancing, and contract tracing sign in are required for all in person services. Space is limited.
8:00 am - Rite II Morning Prayer with Music
10:00 am – Rite II Morning Prayer with Music
9:15 am - Sunday School via Zoom (until June 13th)
The Readings
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SAFE PRACTICES FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES |
We are so happy to welcome people into the church for in-person worship. As we increase the number of people allowed in the church, we can all do our part to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy:
- Masks are required. Disposable masks are available at the back of the church;
- Social distancing. Please maintain a 6ft distance between your group/family and others;
- Sanitize hands upon entrance. Dispensers are available at the back of the church;
- Prayer books are available;
- Service bulletins and reading inserts and are available at the back of the church.
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All are welcome at Morning Prayer. We meet Monday through Friday at 9:00 am via Zoom. Our short prayer service is followed by some fellowship and discussion. Feel free to join us occassionallly to listen and pray, or come more often to participate as a leader or reader, and to start your day with your focus on Christ and a deeper connnection with your friends at St. John's.
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This summer we will be referencing the Sunday reading of Forward Day by Day. Copies are available in the back of the church or through the Parish Office.
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Soothe your soul and revive your spirit with 30-minute performances by pianist Alex Pryrodny and guest artists every Sunday at noon.
Join us in our beautiful, historic church or in the sanctuary of your own home via Facebook Live:
The last Sunday of each month will be a Taize prayer service.
Free or make an offering of $10 to support St. John's Music Ministry. Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact the Parish Office for more information..
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Parishioner Alice Weiser is delighted to offer in-person yoga at St. John’s again. In this “yoga of stillness”, students will enjoy passive stretches supported by yoga props. The result: deep relaxation and release! No experience necessary. We will meet in the Guild Room on Saturdays June 5, 12, 19, and 26 from
10 to 11 am. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat. $20 fee payable at the class. RSVP and questions: alicesyogazone@gmail.com.
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The Thrift shop is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 12 to 3 pm. We have an updated collection of seasonal clothing.
Come and Shop!
The Thrift Shop is accepting donations. If you wish to become a volunteer in the ministry of the Thrift Shop, please contact Nancy Feustel at n.feustel@verizon.net.
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RACIAL RECONCILIATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY MEETING |
St. John's RR&SJM meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be on June 17th at 6:30pm via Zoom.
All are welcome to this monthly meeting where we will discuss how we move forward and what actions we can take locally and beyond to promote communication, understanding and healing.
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If you have not already pledged, please consider making a Stewardship commitment in 2021 in support of the ministry of St. John’s. Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward.
Using your credit card or a direct payment from your checking account, you will be able to make a one-time payment or set up recurring payments using our secure payment platform Realm. Please click on the link below to make a payment:
Or send a check made payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" to 12 Prospect Street, Huntington, NY 11743.
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S |
We pray for all our doctors, nurses, and medical staff who put themselves at risk to care for us during this corona virus epidemic.
We pray for all our men and women serving in the armed services and all first responders who put themselves at risk every day, especially during this time. May God keep them safe and healthy, and return them home to their loved ones.
We pray for those who work for justice. May God give us all strength and wisdom to act for change when it is needed.
We pray for the sick: Tom, David & Irene, Linda, Danica, Lori, Leslie, Hope, Mike, Michael, Elizabeth, Patti, Bob, Christian, Gladys, Lynn, Fred, Jim & Irene, Debra, Alex, Michelle, Pauline, Richard, Barbara, Cory, Allassadra, Ellen, Lucille, Frank, Theresa, Spencer, Sue, Wylie, Matt, Cheryl, Tom, Stephanie, Lisa, Gary, Maggie, Tyler, Ursula, Christine, Samantha, Edward, Alan, Tali, Bill, Kate, Amy, Margaret, Jean, Pat, Joanie, Sueann, Karen, Dermot
Altar Flowers are given in loving memory of Winnie and Harold Staudenmaier
by Judy Staudenmaier.
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
STAY CONNECTED
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