Extravagance

Matthew 13:18-23

The Parable of the Sower Explained

 “Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

How awful

How obscenely extravagant

How indiscriminate of God

To throw open the gates of the kingdom

So that anyone might find a way in

No standards

No safeguards

But a generosity

That is sure to be abused

And just as scandalous today

As was this message

To those who listened to Jesus

Still there are those

Who do not want to believe

Who want to rewrite

The story of God’s unconditional welcome

Who want to maintain standards

And conditions

And limit the sphere

Of the impossible kingdom of God

Thankfully the God of the Universe

Knows no bounds

And cannot be subdued

But carries on regardless

Sowing and reaping

Shuffling and  shoogling, 

Making space for all

Throwing wide the doors

And gathering us in.