Encompass Us
Pentecost 8; Psalm 139, Matthew 13: 24-43
Search me, O God, and know my heart,
my words and path discern.
Though I might try to hide apart,
you find me when I turn.
Confronting to be searched and known,
but comforting as well.
A knowing love transforms its own;
unknown is lonely hell.
The inner and the outer world
are patched with dark and light.
You know where growth lies dormant, furled –
let warmth bring it to sight.
Let weeds and wheat grow side by side,
for only You can tell
if wheat has spread its claim too wide,
or weeds might make us well.
Mile after mile of same old wheat
might serve our same old selves,
but what of land that we deplete
for supermarket shelves?
A weed is just a random plant
not planned in our designs;
its earning power for us is scant,
but Earth knows what it mines.
Is what we sow in soil or soul
the best for us or Earth?
Creator God can grow us whole,
for Wisdom knows what’s worth.
Barbara Messner 20/07/23
Barb, poet priest 
What a stunning way to see this story, to melt its dualistic frame, and to raise the question about what is good. It’s a marvelous challenge.
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Oh great – thanks so much!
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“… weeds might make us well” is such a powerful line and thought. You, Eric and me as well (though I hardly know if I will have time to write my thoughts this week) push against the easiest reading of the passage.
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