ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 23, 2026
When I lived in Florida, I asked someone about a specific tree on his property. He said, “It’s a River Birch, and it has wet feet.” I glanced around looking for feet, only to have him explain that certain trees like to be close to water, they thrive in moist soil, and can survive flooding. That’s what it means for a tree or plant to have wet feet. Though interesting, the roots of the River Birch do not go deep. They run just under the surface in search of a river or some other body of water, which sort of makes sense. Though without the deep roots, they are also susceptible to high winds. Like so many things in life, a gift or certain skill can also be a weakness. In what is called mixed forestry, trees with shallow roots can thrive alongside trees with deep root structures. In some ways, they support one another’s weaknesses, and since they are drawing nutrients from different layers of the soil, they are not in competition. For me, it serves as a sort of metaphor for the faith community.
In 1st Thessalonians, what is considered the first letter we have of the Apostle Paul, there is an expectation that Jesus could be returning soon, maybe even next week. And for the faithful in Thessaloniki, there was real concern over what this meant for anyone who died before Jesus returned. In good pastoral fashion, Paul provided comfort and encouragement. Over his 30 years or so of ministry, Paul’s beliefs about the return of Jesus would change, especially as time began to pass and the questions of the faithful changed. Though with that said, I do believe his advice in chapter 5 remains important—be awake, attentive, and well prepared. And then he said, “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing” (5:11)
Like Paul, we are all in different places in our faith journey. We carry with us different concerns or even confusion. Some of us are feeling awake, but not very prepared. This is when it is so good to be in community where there are those with shallow roots, those with deep roots, and some who are just beginning to take root. Yet if we can appreciate our own gifts, while honoring and leaning on the gifts of others, I think we’ll do pretty well.
For the wonderful diversity of creation, we give you thanks, O God whose love embraces it all. Thank you for the diversity of gifts found within the church, and the way your Spirit empowers these unique gifts toward a common goal. Amen.
