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Today's Scripture
10-11Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?"
12-13Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."
*St. Matthew 9.10-13, The Message
Wisdom Story
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on opposite ends of the pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it. The other pot was intact and gave a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's dwelling. The cracked pot arrived only half full.
For two years the water bearer delivered only one and a half pots of water to his master's home. The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. The cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection and dejected at being unable to fulfill half of what it had been made to do.
After the two years, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer by the stream. "I'm ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the water bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I've been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," lamented the pot.
The water bearer felt sad for the cracked pot, and said, "On our return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."
As they went up the hill, the cracked pot noticed the sun warming the gorgeous wild flowers along the way; this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, the pot still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load. Again, the pot apologized for its failure.
The water bearer said to the cracked pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I've always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we have walked from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I've been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his home."
Comments
We are each a cracked pot. Jesus spent most of his time with persons who knew they were cracked pots. Scripture has Jesus say, "I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders." We can read that, "I'm here to enjoy the company of cracked pots, even smashed pots, not rub shoulders with pots who act like they have it all together."
Indeed, our acting like we have it all together diminishes our openness to grace. How can we enjoy the Beloved's love when we push grace away by acting so self-congratulatory? We might fool some; we do not fool the One. So, this Lent, let us each confess ~ ready ~: "I'm a cracked pot." If you feel like a smashed pot ~ ready ~: "I'm a smashed pot." Okay, now that we did that, we proceed onward.
We find it, often, much easier to accept the flaws of others, while finding it difficult to accept our imperfections. If we are to be whole persons, that wholeness must entail willingness in compassion to touch our own human imperfections. Even more, we need to bless ourselves as we are in our broken humanness. Knowing that flawness is part of what makes us each unique and receptive to Divine love, we can confidently affirm that God will use us, not in spite of our flaws, but through our flaws.
Reflections
1. Are there personal imperfections that you, for whatever reason, have resisted accepting graciously? How might you accept them and, even more, bless them, offering them to the Beloved to be used as the Divine wills?
2. Look back over your life and note any ways the Divine Presence has blessed others through your human imperfection?
Spiritual Exercise
Do a blessing ritual regarding your human imperfections. I recommend you write your imperfections down on a paper, place your hands over them and bless them; then, lift them toward the sky, offering them to the Spirit. Save the list. You may want to add to it and repeat the exercise, later. You may want to return to the list to reaffirm the rite in your heart-mind.
For Brian's on-line audio sermons, go to www.wherethelightshines.org and select Pastor's Corner; on the following page is his weekly sermons given at Christ United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL.
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For replies and biographical information, and submission to "The Light Shines" daily devotionals ~ a ministry of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL, see next page:
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