|
First
Reading
|
Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
| Amos 7:7–15 |
Psalm 85:8–13 |
Ephesians 1:3–14 |
Mark 6:14–29 |
There is an old folktale about a wooden boat maker and his apprentice who were walking together through a large forest looking for the right kind of roots to use for canoe ribs. After traveling across several acres, they came across a tall gnarled ancient oak whose girth was equal to a dozen of all the tress around it. The boat maker asked his apprentice, “Do you know why this tree is so huge, so old, so beautiful?” The apprentice was filled with awe as he looked up through the thick canopy of branches that seemed to go on forever, and replied, “No, why?” “Because at one time, long ago, this tree was considered useless. If it had been considered useful it would have been cut into lumber and used for tables, chairs, and bureaus. But because it was passed over, the tree could grow so tall and beautiful that you may now look up into its arms and sense eternity.”
This past week I drove up into the southern Adirondacks to scout out a day hike for our choir camp next week. As you head north and finally pass the city of Utica, you come upon the first view of mountains and soon you are surrounded by forest. The scent in the air changes to the smell of pine and balsam, and the streams you pass over reveal placid bays of blue lakes in the distance. A few miles before the trailhead where I was heading, you travel through the town of Old Forge. One time it served as a central supply depot for the numerous camps and canoe outfitters. Now it is also full of gaudy tourists traps, many with the name of moose cleverly incorporated in their signs. In the center of town there is a large water slide park, a showplace of amusement park technology and the ingenuity of resin construction. It was packed with people, laughing and shouting. I was glad to get to the trailhead parking lot.
There were several groups going up the mountain that day, but the atmosphere was so much more serene. There was talk and laughter, but none of the cacophony of noise back in Old Forge. The trail gently rose through shaded woods, until coming to steep rock ledges lighted by the sun in open sky. Mentally I thought, “ok, is it like this all the way to the top and can I encourage everyone in our group to do this by saying the summit is just around the next bend?” While the summit was not just around the bend, the trail on the steep rock ended in about ten minutes, and from then on the trail took what seemed to be the fossilized backbone of a huge prehistoric whale, with view of the long chain of lakes on the left. The fire tower came in sight. Going along the backbone ledge was the easiest part of the climb. The summit held a marvelous view of hundreds of acres of forests and lakes in all directions. You could not duplicate that by petrochemical resin. Most of the children on top were saying, “Wow, look at that!” For some, they never had imagined the world really looked like that. They were so small and unprotected up on that mountain, and the boats on the lake were so tiny and insignificant. If you could have seen the waterslide, it would have just been a speck. I would like to think that young and old gained some sense of perspective.
The trail down always seems easier and your feet inevitably feel lighter. I wondered how much of that had to do with the exhilaration at the top. Going through Old Forge again I felt how sad that many of those at the water slide would never even consider taking the trail, and how much they were missing.
There were not many mountains that Jesus could hike. Yet Jesus did insist on he and his disciples getting away into the desert and hills. Jesus knew that without balance and perspective, one’s mind was starved. The intensity of our lives needs to be tempered by an understanding that we, and what we make and manipulate, are not the only centers of significance in the universe. Self-absorption usually hinders, rather than promotes self-understanding and wisdom. Jesus took rest, solitude, and change of surroundings as seriously as the provision of loaves and fishes.
We are in the midst of summer now. The wildflowers along the back highways will soon be at their peak. Even Solomon in all his splendor was not arrayed like them. If nothing else, don’t be put off with what the world considers not particularly useful. Living is not always made better by modern chemistry. Often what is defined as a purpose driven life turns into a mindlessly driven life. In some way smell the flowers, take a hike, go into the forest, and let your ears engage the conversation. Remember that you can learn much about yourself from a view on a mountaintop.
And
I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
