Sherry Sterling

Dear friends,

In the gospel reading for today, Jesus is frustrated with others not understanding him. They are missing his metaphors, not catching the subtext, not getting the spiritual meaning behind his teaching.

The Pharisees and Sadducees are yet again asking for a sign from heaven and Jesus criticizes them; then the disciples are missing the point of Jesus’ teaching, focusing on the bread they forgot to bring for lunch rather than the symbolism of yeast that Jesus is referring to. In his frustration, Jesus says to the disciples: “Don’t you understand yet?” and “How could you fail to perceive?”

Jesus’ vision went beyond the disciples’ vision. They saw what was right before them; Jesus saw the eternal wellbeing of their souls.

The disciples were focused on the literal meaning, and missing the deeper meaning behind it.

As much as I’m practiced to look for depth of meaning, I can still miss it. I do love poetry, metaphor, and symbolism. But I can also get literal when I’m stressed or distracted.

I just did that with a texted request from my adult daughter. She asked where I got the soft blanket I’d given her for Christmas last year, because her dog has claimed it for his own. I texted her the name of the store, then was encouraged by a friend to consider sending a new blanket to her, that her inquiry could be an opening to offer love.

I didn’t catch that.

Now I was in a quandary—what if she had already ordered it herself? I texted the invitation, that I would be happy to get another one for her. She liked that idea. I got the chance to give to her, yet again. Wrapping her in a hug of a blanket.

I had initially missed the subtext of relationship, seeing only the signs of literal problem solving.

I read the message as another thing on my to-do list, rather than being aware of ways to connect, through love.

I pray God to help me perceive the opportunities to love others—to focus on people, rather than projects.

Peace and love,

—Sherry