ON THE PARABLES OF THE SOWER, WHEAT, & MUSTARD SEED & ENGLEWOOD'S REVIVAL
Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma)
Published: July 24, 2017
1. The Gospel Texts for Matthew 13 of the 6th, 7th, and 8th Sundays after Pentecost cover the Parables of the Sower, Wheat, and Mustard Seed respectively i.e., 7/16, 7/23 & 7/30/2017.
2. Matthew presents Jesus using the above metaphors in proclaiming what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. Against today's Neoliberal City of Chicago the Holy Redeemer posits the eternal City of God.
3. Although God Almighty is certainly capable of "Big Bangs" and quick reversals, Matthew 13 foci on the mtaphoric seeds dramatically shows that God also works via an orderly process of patient growth revealing divine truth in stages.
4. The Sower, in the Parable of the Soils, sows seed that lands by the wayside, in shallow soil, among thorns, and in fertile ground.
5. The Wheat Farmer plants good seed. However, his enemy plants weeds at night while the community sleeps.
6. The Mustard Seed though exceedingly small, eventually develops into the largest of shrubs, indeed aa tree, that equitably houses and shelters many surrounding birds.
7. The purpose of the City of God is not the vision of everyone. It is rather the vision of fertile hearts, minds, and souls receptive to God's compassion. Thus, although The Holy One plants good grain for the City of God, an enemy comes in under the cover of night to plant weeds instead. Although the seed of the City of God takes the shape of the least of seeds, they grow to house and shelter the the diversity of urban inhabitants.
8. Thus, the Holy Redeemer of Matthew's Gospel says, in concluding the Parable of the Wheat and Tares: "Let anyone with ears listen."
Respectfully submitted: Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma), Pastor of Reformation Lutheran Church Chicago, 11310 S. Forest Avenue, Roseland ('Young Barack Obama's community organizing sanctuary"), a resident of Englewood's Bethel Terrace Co-Op Senior Apartments, & Convener of ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED AFRICAN AMERICAN MINISTRIES CHICAGO (ALLGO). For more information please go to: langston1212@gmail.com or visit Reformation's Sacred Jazz Worship Service, Sundays, 12 Noon in the Historic Roseland/Pullman neighborhoods.