Trained

"Every scribe trained for the kingdom of the skies is like a householder who draws out of his treasure new things and old things," Matthew 13:52.

Jesus trains his followers. At least those who will follow him. And these trained disciples have the capacity to discern. To tell the difference between new and old treasure. To know the difference between new and old wineskins. To distinguish between what belongs to one age and what belongs to another. To sort the things that belong to the sky kingdom from the things that belong to earth's kingdoms. To discern what is pleasing to the Lord. His disciples understand, for example, the difference between poor in spirit and self-promotion. That the kingdom of heaven, for which they have been trained, calls unequivocally for blessing in personal humility. Not in personal power.

We visit today with a brother or sister and give thanks. We recognize the Master's mindful humility: releasing hold on divine power, emptying himself, being born a man servant, obeying God to death, dying on a cross. And, trained together, we live into that same mind. Into the kingdom of heaven.