By Rev. Dr. Harvey Weitzel
Have you noticed that everything is green? Just outside your window, the bare branches of Winter are gone. Our trees are full of leaves. The grass is green and lush.
But what if things aren’t green? Well, this time of year things are supposed to be growing, so we may fertilize our grass a bit, we may mulch around our plants so they don’t dry out. We try to keep that beautiful green going as long as we can for the summer months so we can enjoy it. And, if the roots are well fed and nourished right now, we know these plants will keep growing next year.
Take a look sometime in your church. What is the main color you see? In this season of Pentecost everything is green. The paraments on the altar, lectern and pulpit are all green. These colors will also stay green all the way through November. For the next several months all will be green, and for a good reason. During these next several months the biblical lectionary of scripture readings will be focused upon our growth in Christ. Our readings will not necessarily focus upon the return of Christ or repentance or even the resurrection. The focus of these next several months will be upon growth in Christ.
The readings and messages will focus upon our life in Christ and growing that life in Christ. Think of it as a time when Jesus will be spreading spiritual mulch around us so we might grow deep roots of faith into Christ. Or think of it as a time when Christ waters us with baptismal grace so we may drink deeply and be satisfied.
Our plants and grass are not the only things that need tending this time of year. We need to be tended. And thanks be to God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is here to do that for us! So, allow yourselves to be cared for by Christ this summer so that you, your family, and your friends may all be nourished in the Lord and have roots rooted deep into the ever-flowing fountain of His mercy shown to us in the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Rev. Dr. Harvey Weitzel is presently serving as Interim pastor at St. Michaels Lutheran Church.
