One of the most interesting things about discernment, or the process of knowing God's Spirit, is that it is rarely linear. As one walks with Jesus, praying, reading Scripture and working in community, the path forward bends, sometimes so much that we can't see the end. It is like this with parables as well. They give us a parabola-shaped path to understanding, and sometimes we find ourselves in different places on the curve. Sometimes we even think we have slipped backwards, but then we are launched up the other side like a skateboarder to a new way of thinking. The stories Jesus tells in the synoptic Gospels about seeds, wheat, bread and other ordinary things are indeed about those things, but the deeper meanings of them are often obscure.

Even in this week's parable, where we get an explanation of what the soils are and what happens to the plants that grow in them, the process of becoming "good soil" and growing the word of God in our hearts is not laid out for us. The path to good decisions and doing what Jesus wants us to do only becomes clear through prayer and ongoing relationship with God. The church community can help us to do this if we are open and vulnerable about our fears, questions and doubts about our path. Right now at St. Luke's a number of groups are working on discernment questions. The search committee is sifting through the names in our process to find a priest in charge. The committee to re-gather is finishing up a two month process of discerning how best to re-open our church safely. The vestry, wardens and clergy are regularly discerning together how best to meet the community's needs as we travel through this time of uncertainty and transition. As you are praying and working with friends and family and the St. Luke's community to discern what God calls you to in the world, please pray also for these groups and their work to discern what God calls our church to do. The path may be parabolic, but we are always on a journey with God to grow and bear fruit.

In the peace of Christ,

Veronika