Readings: Mark 4: 26-34
2 cor. 5:6-17
In this morning's gospel reading Jesus is trying to explain the kingdom of heaven to his disciples. Jesus uses parables to do this, and the first parable points to why this might be. As how seeds grew into crops was a mystery to many people in the first century, so the kingdom of God is a mystery. It is something we can not fully understand.
The kingdom of God is another way of saying heaven, Matthew tends to use the term kingdom of heaven in his gospel, written for a Jewish audience whilst Mark and Luke writing for Romans and Greeks use kingdom of God.
A friend recently asked me a question about what heaven is like. He wanted to know if heaven is supposed to be a perfect sort of place, how does that work for different people at the same time. The example he used was that he likes smoking, I don't, I like dogs, he doesn't. We both like beer, so in heaven could we have a beer together with him smoking and me petting a dog and both still be happy? My honest answer to his question was I don't know.
A quick Google search for images of heaven reveals modern images mainly of clouds and blue skies. A look at medieval pictures of heaven produces more varied images of heaven. Some show it as a sort of palace, or city, one shows angels carrying souls up to heaven in what looks like a hammock made from a sheet. I don’t think anyone can say what heaven is really like.
The Bible tells us that heaven will be a place of joy with no more tears, no more pain, no more suffering. We will have physical bodies, but what will they be like? Will they be the state they were in when we died or a younger version? Will disabilities still exist, some disabled theologians have argued that their disability is such a key part of their identity that they don't want a heavenly body that excludes that part of them.
Lots of questions, ifs and maybes but very few definite answers. We just have to have faith and trust that in heaven we will be with God, and somehow he will make it all work, but how He does that will remain a mystery to us for now.
The second parable we heard this morning, points us to another aspect of heaven. Jesus compares heaven to a mustard seed. A mustard seed is a small round seed, only about 1-2 millimeters in diameter. Yet from this tiny seed grows a large tree. They can grow to 20-30 feet high and 20 feet wide.
So we can say that the kingdom of heaven is big, but I think Jesus is pointing to more than just the size of a mustard tree. He talks about it being a place where birds can build their nests. A home, a place that provides shelter and gives us rest. The kingdom of heaven will be our heavenly home where we can find shelter and rest from the struggles of this life.
The parable of the mustard seed also points to something else. Heaven can come from very small beginnings. In the Lords Prayer we pray thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It is a call to us that we should be trying to live our earthly lives now in a way that reflects something of the kingdom of heaven.
Now we all know that we should be kind and caring, love our enemy etc. However it’s not always easy. As we approach the general election, political debate seems to get more agitated and angry. We as Christians should be setting an example of how to listen to those we disagree with and engage with them in a more friendly way. In this way we can try and show others a glimpse of what the kingdom of God may be like and show them it is something that may be worth exploring.
I still don’t know what heaven is like or how God will work things so that we can all be happy, despite our different likes and dislikes, and I don’t think we ever will know until we get there. We just have to accept with faith that somehow it will be.
I'd like to end with a prayer attributed to St Brigid, which gives a description of how she saw heaven.
I’d like to give a lake of beer to God.
I’d love the heavenly
Host to be tippling there
For all eternity.
I’d love the men of Heaven to live with me,
To dance and sing.
If they wanted, I’d put at their disposal
Vats of suffering.
White cups of love I’d give them
With a heart and a half;
Sweet pitchers of mercy I’d offer
To every man.
I’d make Heaven a cheerful spot
Because the happy heart is true.
I’d make the men contented for their own sake.
I’d like Jesus to love me too.
I’d like the people of heaven to gather
From all the parishes around.
I’d give a special welcome to the women,
The three Marys of great renown.
I’d sit with the men, the women and God
There by the lake of beer.
We’d be drinking good health forever
And every drop would be a prayer.
Amen
