Life is truly a tapestry, a weaving of shapes
and sizes and colors, gifts and talents that proclaim the beauty of God’s
people throughout the world. One of my favorite songs, “Weave” by Rosmary Crow
says it much better than I can.
We are many textures, we are many
colors, Each one different from the other.
But we are entwined with one another in one great tapestry.
Weave, weave, weave us together, Weave us together, in unity and
love.
Weave, weave, weave us
together, weave us together, together in love.
Just think for a moment about the idea of
being woven together, being entwined with a rainbow of God’s people, realizing
that we depend on one another for the abundant life that God promises to all of
us. Not only are we connected by our need for and production of food, clothing
and shelter, but we are connected and bound together in our search for beauty,
joy and meaning in life.
I want to look at the human tapestry through
the lens of another tapestry, a tapestry of scripture and a parable or two both
ancient and modern. As the light reflects off the many colors and textures of
this tapestry we may see facets of our humanity we have never before seen. So,
fasten your seat belts and let’s go for a ride.
I begin with a portion of Psalm 90 (vss. 1-6, 13-17) showing in a powerful way the foundational relationship between God
and all of creation, including human beings.
1 Lord, you have been our refuge *from one generation to
another.
2
Before the mountains were brought forth the land and the earth were born, *
from age to age you are God.
16
Show your servants your works *and your splendor to their children.
17
May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; *prosper
the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork.
The Psalmist weaves a beautiful tapestry of God and
Creation, of land and earth and sky and sea. He weaves in a vision of all the
works of creation for all of God’s Children to see, and finally the strand of
human creativity and partnership with God in the creation and building of God’s
Kingdom.
In and around this strand I now weave the strand of
Jesus’ command to us from Matthew 22:34-46:
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus
had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered
together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test
him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and
with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second
is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two
commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Remember Jesus teaches this lesson
in the context of the Parable of the “Good Samaritan.”
The strand puts even more emphasis
on the two basic relationships of human life, the relationship between human
beings and God and the relationship between each of us and all other people
with whom we share this “fragile Earth, our Island home.” (Book of Common
Prayer, p. 370).
Finally our “friend,” St.
Paul wraps a colorful strand around this portion of our tapestry with these
beautiful and powerful words.
As God’s chosen ones, holy and
beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one
another and, if anyone has a
complaint against another,
forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you
also must forgive. Above all, clothe
yourselves with love, which binds everything
together in perfect harmony. And let the peace
of Christ rule in your hearts, to which
indeed you were called in the one
body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15)
These
passages of Holy Scripture, woven together in a bright tapestry truly proclaim
that our faith is not just a list of rules and regulations and lines that put
some in and others out. Our faith is above all else, Relationships: relationship
with God and relationships with all of God’s people, on earth as well as in
heaven.
I add
one last strand, a modern day parable of relationship and community which
brings together the foundations of our faith, Scripture, Tradition, Reason and
Experience.
Long
ago and far away I was very much involved in leadership with the Boy Scouts of
America. During that time I lead a crew of sixteen scouts and five adult
leaders on an adventure trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron New Mexico. On
our last day the crew of eight with whom I was hiking was ascending the “Tooth
of Time,” by a very steep and narrow trail. About half way up one of the boys,
a high school football star fullback, backed up against the rock wall and stated,
“I’m not going any farther, I am not going up or down, I am going to stay here
the rest of my life.” He was truly paralyzed with fear. I tried to persuade
him, his hiking partner tried to encourage him, and he again responded, “I am
going to stay here the rest of my life. At this point, his entire crew
surrounded him with love, confidence and courage, three in front of him and
four behind. They encouraged him to take “one step at a time,” and walked with
him, “one step at a time.” The entire crew arrived at the top and all were
rewarded, not only by the beautiful views, but by the sense of accomplish and
teamwork and renewed confidence in themselves and in the team. And the one who
was afraid had renewed his courage.
We are many textures, we are many colors, Each one different
from the other.
But we are entwined with one another in one great tapestry.
Weave, weave, weave us together, Weave us together, in unity and
love.
Weave, weave, weave us
together, weave us together, together in love.
