Prelude – the Sermon on the Mount: I brought out my best linen and went up the mountain with my women friends that day to listen to the Teacher. It was a fair day; the scent of white lilies drifted over the fields and birds circled above us, calling out to their mates. It was also a good day because of the news I had received. A widow like me doesn’t expect much comfort and during the early years of my alone-ness I had suffered many days of hunger as I laid out what food I could find for my children. Now my daughter was about to marry well because my needlework skills had brought us the security we needed.
People loved my fine linens and wedding parties sought me out to dress their families in the cloth from my loom. I worked day and night to increase my stock and now I had a chest full of coins to ensure the safety of my family. I was not without anxiety, however, wealth can disappear quickly and it was my constant concern to hold on to it and grow it, so that I could survive when my eyesight dimmed.
No One Can Serve Two Masters
I lay out a cloth and sat beside my friends. We were close enough to see and hear the Teacher and I wondered for a moment which woman’s hands had woven the linen he wore. This teacher was like no other. He was so beautiful that the sight of him brought my husband to my mind and the love I had for him – Behold Thou art fair my Beloved!’ And the Teacher’s words were so compelling that I thought of the days when I sat beside my dear father, listening to him reciting the Scriptures.
When he spoke about prayer, I let the words enter my heart as well as my mind. I knew that I would always pray as he taught us from that day to Our Father, for all we need, for all we love and for the love we need. Then came a challenge, when he spoke to his listeners about wealth. He had spoken about giving in secret to those in need. Now he told us to let go of our wealth. This would be hard for a rich man to do. But I felt it was far harder for a woman like me, who had known poverty, and built up the wealth and security of her family by the work of her hands.
“No one can serve two masters,’ he said, reiterating, ‘You cannot serve God and money.’
I thought hard – is the fruit of my labor now my Master? Are these ‘treasures on earth’ really my security? My mind turned to the coins I held in the hidden chest. There was enough, more than enough now for the wedding. What should I keep my money for now? I knew women who had suffered as I had. Some were family members. Others had no family, and their fatherless children cried for food. They needed a little of my excess – could I not release my hold on a few coins?
Birds of the Air
He spoke about food and drink and clothing. I pride myself on my table. There is more for my family and guests than we can eat. I make sure that my larder is well stocked. The Teacher pointed to the birds flying over us, skimming over the hills and feeding on what the Lord Our God gives them. ‘The Lord cares for these’, he said, will he not care for you?’ I felt ashamed of the food I waste and the wine I drink when I need no more to drink.
Lilies of the Field
As he spoke his eyes passed over the lilies which brightened the fields with their brilliance. ‘Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these’ I had to agree. I could never produce a cloth of such pure whiteness, and no fragrance could compare with the scent of them. No, not even Solomon could have been robed in such beauty. What can I produce to compare with this? And even the fine linen that comes from my loom is distilled from the flowers of the field. To You Lord be the glory!
As I listened to the words of Jesus that day I felt a lightness. It was as though I could fly like the birds above us. And, light up the fields like the white lilies as I reflected his beauty and joy.
Therefore, Do Not Be Anxious About Tomorrow
I looked down at my hands and they were open, as though I had just let go of everything I could long for, except my Lord Jesus.
‘Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’
I was at peace and that peace has never left me. I now share all I have. My mind rests on God and nothing disturbs me as I hold Jesus’ words within me:
‘Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’
Hello Deborah, I want you to know that i absolutely loved your reflection for today . thank you for the in sight, the story was sooo real and loving. respectfully, Rose awaiting the next one from you