Dear Rose Park,
A few days ago, Simon and I were playing catch in the front yard. This has become a weekly rhythm of ours; we start only a few feet apart and then we slowly start to take steps back. Sometimes we use a football or a bouncy ball and other times we’ll use a softer baseball. We practice using two hands to catch, keeping our eyes on the ball, and then stepping and throwing it back. As we played and fell into a rhythm, I started to think about the church.
So much of what we learn is caught, not taught. Meaning, we learn it by being close to it, touching it, and experiencing it. For example, we can be taught about baptism from the beginning chapter of the Gospel of Mark, but we can catch baptism when we see the water, speak the vows, and hear the creed. We can be taught about holy communion from the Heidelberg Catechism, but we can catch holy communion when the table is present, the bread is broken, the cup is poured, and the elements are tasted. We can be taught about discipleship from a podcast or book, but we can catch discipleship when we spend time with one another, pray with one another, and unite with one another around a Kingdom vision.
This is all to say, who are you playing catch with? Who we surround ourselves with is so very important. If you don’t believe me, ask a parent with school-age children and they’ll tell you how much they desire their children to be surrounded by good friends. This concept goes beyond adolescence though, we all need to be surrounded by good people. The theology we learn from scripture and the sacraments die within us if we do not embody it and live it out with those around us. So, who are you playing catch with?
As we transition into summer and prepare to hear from the Parables for the next few Sundays, would you prayerfully consider playing catch with a friend, a neighbor, or a family member because when we do, we’ll be drawn closer to each other as we’re drawn closer to Him.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark