Smoke on the Tomoatoes

Scripture

“Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. …. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
(Luke 11:1-2,6-7 NIVUK)

Smoke on the Tomatoes

Today’s title won’t become Smoke on the Water, Deep Purple’s rock anthem. But we might have sung their repeated chorus Smoke on the water, a fire in the sky, Smoke on the water back in June. Our Golden Horseshoe region was blanketed with smoke in the air, hovering over lakes and ponds, drifting in from forest fires to our east and west.  

It’s now October and our local market gardener recently still had his beautiful fresh tomatoes. “The smoke in June affected the plants’ early growth and the tomatoes were late coming and are producing late”, he told Susan. Maybe tomatoes don’t like smoke. 

We were concerned about the immediate effects of the smoke on our health. Now long forgotten, but the effects are delayed and subtle. The accretions of our spiritual practices can be a bit like that smoke – they are obvious and sometimes unhelpful, but the effects linger on. 

Jesus pointed to the rigid rules of his religious opponents and called it an unhealthy yeast that produced hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is about hiding. Hidden places are the yeast growing our addictions to money, sex and power as individuals, communities, and nations. Fear of disclosure creates deceit. Jesus tells us to open up, lose the fear because disclosure comes inevitably and trust that God not only knows us but loves us.  

A Prayer for Today

Loving God, thank you that even as you know us, you love us profoundly. Thank you for forgiveness when we are open about our need for your help to deal with hidden faults. Help us live freely in your knowledge of us and our knowledge of your love for us revealed in Jesus    …. For Jesus’ sake