March 23rd - Reflection

Reading

Judges 9:7-15 (NRSV)
Anointing the bramble

When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and cried aloud and said to them, "Listen to me, you lords of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.
The trees once went out
to anoint a king over themselves.
So they said to the olive tree,
'Reign over us.'
The olive tree answered them,
'Shall I stop producing my rich oil
by which gods and mortals are honored,
and go to sway over the trees?'
Then the trees said to the fig tree,
'You come and reign over us.'
But the fig tree answered them,
'Shall I stop producing my sweetness
and my delicious fruit,
and go to sway over the trees?'
Then the trees said to the vine,
'You come and reign over us.'
But the vine said to them,
'Shall I stop producing my wine
that cheers gods and mortals,
and go to sway over the trees?'
So all the trees said to the bramble,
'You come and reign over us.'
And the bramble said to the trees,
'If in good faith you are anointing me king over you,
then come and take refuge in my shade;
but if not, let fire come out of the bramble
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'

Reflection

Too good to lead...so the work gets passed on and on...and finally one steps forward to take the lead. It sounds like a leader who leads by example. The bramble will work hard. The bramble may offer some shade, but look out for those prickly things! The bramble used as a broom at times to do the dirty work. That's the leader the laziness of the people chose as they passed over leadership to revel in their own wonderful gifts. But the bramble was willing to go to work. Was willing to let the fruits of the bramble do the tuff stuff. So watch out you fancy trees...the bramble may just expect you to bear fruit...real fruit of love and service to the King!

Prayer

Lord, forgive me when I'm haughty and keep me humble. May my work be fruitful service to you in your Kingdom today, tomorrow and forever. --- Amen