If someone asked you, “Where is London Bridge?” what would you say? Well, it is in London, of course!! Silly question. Well, maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. What if I told you that the London Bridge is actually in Lake Havasu, Arizona in the United States?!
Many of us know the nursery rhyme, “London Bridge is Falling Down”. Briefly, the beginning goes like this:
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down,
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair Lady.
Build it up with wood and clay,
Wood and clay, wood and clay,
Build it up with wood and clay,
My fair Lady.
It goes on to talk about each time the bridge falls down, it is rebuilt with stronger and stronger materials until it is finally built with Silver and Gold. But silver and gold is valuable and may be stolen so someone has to be hired to guard the bridge but he might fall asleep. The nursery rhyme concludes with the man guarding the bridge being given a pipe to smoke to keep him awake.
The interesting thing about this story is that it is based on the history of the true London Bridge. The original bridge was built in 50 AD out of wood. Over the years it was destroyed by fire and tornado or became unstable under the weight of shops built within its span necessitating it to be rebuilt. Which brings us to Lake Havasu.
In 1831, as part of one of the rebuilding projects, the London Bridge was taken down stone by stone so that a new bridge could take its place. What happened to the old stones? You guessed it. Transported to Arizona where the bridge was reconstructed in this American dessert.
Now you are asking, “OK, interesting story but what has this got to do with today’s readings?” Well, in today’s Gospel we hear the very familiar parable about the sower who spreads his seed on 4 different types of soils with very different results. While many of the parables Jesus tells can be somewhat cryptic and hard to understand, this one has the added benefit of a full explanation. Jesus tells his disciples that the seed is the word of God, the word sown on the path doesn’t grow because the devils grabs up the seed first. The word sown on rocky ground never takes root so the hearer falls away in time of trial, the word sown in thorns gets choked by the distractions of the world. The word sown on good soil multiplies greatly.
So, what have I got to talk about?! Jesus did all the heavy lifting for me. Right? Well yes, except for this one pesky verse:
(10) He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that ‘they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.“
What? Jesus tells parables to confuse people?! Why would he do that? Isn’t the goal to clarify and enlighten people as to God’s word? Well, yes, of course it is. But do you recall this verse?
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
What happens when you read one of Jesus’ parables? You can read it and say, “that was a nice story” then go off on your day. Or you can twist the story around a bit. The parable of the legion of demons inside the man at Genereset, for example. The demons were sent into a herd of swine that then ran off a steep cliff and died while the man freed of those demons became a disciple of Jesus. I have heard people comment that Jesus’ actions resulted in the swine herder losing all his pigs and going bankrupt. How could Jesus destroy the livelihood of someone like that? I am pretty sure that this was not the message Jesus intended for us to gain from the parable.
But then there are those that look at a parable and want to know more. The story merely serves to whet the appetite and they search out its meanings. They read and study and as they do so they descend deeper into the lessons each parable teaches. They may even ask God to help them understand.
Which brings us back to the London Bridge nursery rhyme. I have heard the first part of this children’s story many times. All I heard was that London Bridge was falling down and I figured it was a criticism of poor construction techniques in England. But for this reflection I found the back story and discovered some interesting facts about the bridge and its history. Including the bridge, or at least one version of it, was right here in the good ‘ol USA! And I am sure, if I looked a bit deeper, I could find out a whole lot more about the bridge, the politics circulating around the construction and rebuilding proposals, maybe people who lost their lives on the bridge during the disasters that befell the structure. It was the STORY that gave me the choice on how far to look, or even to look at all in the first place.
The story, the parable, served as that sword described in Hebrews which leads to denial, curiosity, investigation, knowledge and ultimately belief. Many who heard the parable of the sower likely walked away after hearing it deciding it was stupid, confusing or maybe hit too close to home. Never again to give it a second thought. But some, including Jesus’ closest friends, asked Him what it meant. And isn’t this what Jesus hopes that we do? To read from Scripture and ask “what does it mean?” The story invites us. And some will take that invitation and ignore it. They will hear but not understand. More importantly, they will not understand and not really care to find out why they don’t understand. Then there will be those who don’t understand but become intrigued. Will sit as the Lord’s feet and ask, “what does it mean?”
Isn’t that what you all are doing right now? Why do you read A Catholic Moment? Not that we as authors have all the answers but, hopefully, we provide enough insight for you to look deeper. To build on what you gain here every day. If that is what you do today, then I am pleased for my mission has been accomplished. Maybe a bit more light has been shown on a story, a lesson, some words of Jesus. Enough light to illuminate your way to keep walking into the sometimes dark caverns of our faith…of the Scriptures. And maybe it helps you to now BECOME that light to others.
Time to plan Elise and my next vacation. I am thinking it is time to explore a little British history and book a flight to Lake Havasu.
Update on Kelsee
Many of you had asked about Kelsee. She is the young woman who had gone to a local abortion clinic here in Illinois who, after speaking with one of the Sidewalk Counselors, elected to not go through with the abortion. She had many personal and financial obstacles to having her baby. However, with the help of many of you, and many of the people who pray at the clinic, she just had her baby girl, named Kamryn. Kelsee relocated to Kansas and, with the help of many people, has an apartment, a job, a car and most importantly the support of a faith community. She is very happy and looking forward to her life with her daughter. She is also very grateful for the financial, emotional and spiritual support she has received.
