Brambles

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:1-12)

A fir tree was boasting to a bramble thorn bush, and said, somewhat contemptuously, “You poor creature, you are of no use whatsoever. Now look at me. I am useful for all sorts of things, particularly when men build houses; they can’t do without me then.” But the bramble replied, “Ah, that’s all very well, but you wait till they come with axes and saws to cut you down, and then you’ll wish were a bramble and not a fir.” 

Brambles are thorn bushes that spread and climb and entangle themselves in other bushes as well as trees.  They reach out and connect all the other trees and bushes in their thorny embrace. We are to be the same through warm and loving embraces to connect all of us together in union – in communion. And we do that through the Eucharist.

Pride comes before a fall.  Pride is like an axe that falls the mighty fir tree.  Pride leads to our tying up heavy burdens hard to carry and laying them on people’s shoulders, instead of our own.  Pride demands we be honored at banquets, given seats of honor in synagogues (and churches), and greeted in marketplaces.  

We brambles must remember that the greatest among us must be our servants. Whoever exalts himself/herself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself/herself will be exalted.

Deacon David Pierce