Being the Kingdom
Pentecost 9, Proper 12
July 30, 2023
Fr. Tim Nunez
May my spoken word be true to God’s written word and bring us all closer to the living word, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables;
I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 13:34-35)
Today we touch on parables Jesus shares to describe The Kingdom of God: a mustard seed, yeast, a treasure, a pearl and a net full of fish.
This past week was very busy around here. Each morning a team led by Theresa Ryland showed up before dawn to prepare breakfast for the Lake Wales Care Center’s “Stay at Home Work Camp.” They run several camps each summer, where youth help low income homeowners with painting, minor repairs and new roofs.
Over 120 campers, plus their counselors and Care Center staff, would pour in each morning around 7:45, kick off their shoes and file in. They are just crackling with energy. They eat, then come into the sanctuary to hear a lesson, pray and then go out to work. While they are here, they reveal a glimpse of the Kingdom of God.
Here we see the parables of the mustard seed and yeast alive and active in our midst. The mustard seed is not actually the smallest seed, nor does it yield the mightiest bush, or a huge tree. The point here is that the bush is massively bigger than the seed, and we should take note of that. The kingdom of God is like that, and that it’s astounding when we get up close and look at what is come from very small beginnings, but we also know that it has a long way to go to reach all of God’s children.
Also, like yeast leavening dough, Jesus proclaims the power of the kingdom to affect the community around it, and our hope is that these kids will carry their very tangible experience of loving their neighbors into adulthood, and it will influence them, their families and their communities, wherever they go.
For the next couple of parables, we will look at another camp.
Our diocese sold Camp Wingmann around 1980. Why? Almost every church in the diocese talks about how they were busting with kids back in the 1970’s. How could we have lost the camp?
It was losing money, but why? It had lost its way, lost its vision. I went to Camp Wingmann in 1974. I remember many details from that summer camp. I remember the smell of my trusty English Leather cologne. I remember the girl I desperately want to ask to the dance but lacked the courage. I remember the boy who did ask her. I can’t remember one smidgen of worship or teaching about Jesus. I don’t recall setting foot in the chapel back then. Without that focus on Jesus, without the diocese committed to that focus for its youth, it faded away. As it should have, honestly.
It was not functioning as a slice of the Kingdom of God. Not a bit. I don’t know why the diocese let that happen but it did.
In 1998, Fr. Bill Yates heard the property was on the market. He knew the Kingdom of God was buried in that field, a treasure beyond measure. It was so great a treasure that he and his wife Joanie personally mortgaged everything they had, and convinced his brother and his best friend to do the same, just to have the opportunity to reestablish the camp.
And they did so with a singular focus on making it a place for kids to know Jesus and grow in their relationship with him. The Kingdom of God is so very present. That is clearest during worship, when the kids and counselors are praying and singing. They get all excited. Hand motions. Some naturally harmonize – all in absolute joy to Christ. Every night, they close with devotional time in their cabins. Campers and counselors focus on the Word of God and share whatever questions or concerns are on their hearts. It’s a slice of the Kingdom of God.
I know that is there. Every summer I seek that pearl. I volunteer my time to serve on its board to do my best to make sure we never lose it again. I’ve shared it with my children, all of whom came to own their faith there, and three of whom met their spouses at Camp Wingmann. I’m on the Care Center’s board, too.
When children, when we, come to know Jesus, he changes everything. All the joys and heartaches of this life come into perspective.
The Kingdom of God is present where Christ is present. That’s it. Breakfasts and service projects, buildings and facilities and programs and vestments and music can all be a part of that, but they lose their heavenly glue if for whatever reason Christ is dismissed.
These camps help us apply these ancient parables to our experience.
As small as a mustard seed – think about how brief the moment is when in service, prayer or singing or devotional time a child encounters Jesus as a person rather than a concept or a story for the first time. Such moments reset their perception of everything including their sense of being and purpose. It’s the power of vision. We get a glimpse of the Kingdom and we long for it as our true home.
As powerful as yeast – Think about the influence and effect these children and youth will have in their families, school, vocation – whatever it may be. Yates Hall – the old mess hall at the camp – is covered with names of campers from the early days – each one a story. There are future priests and bishops, and also lay leaders. Many of you will remember Roy Craig. These children today, knowing Jesus, will have unimaginable effect on this world, leavening wherever they go.
A treasure, a pearl of great price – What price could we put on that? What else are we here to do?
A net full of fish – Camp Wingmann and The Care Center throw open their ministries to all children and youth who will come. We don’t know how each will embrace Christ, or not. The invitation is universal, the welcome is universal, and the sincere care, teaching, and support are universal. We just cast the nets and haul in the catch as best we can.
And what’s true for the camp is true for Good Shepherd. This beautiful church is a physical reflection of the movement of the Holy Spirit among us, but it has no use apart from it. You are that slice of the Kingdom that can grow and become leaven in your families and communities.
What is true for the church is true in our own hearts. All the blessing we enjoy in life can and should be a blossoming part of our joy in Christ. By his grace and love all things work together for Christ according to his purpose.
AMEN