Sermon On Strawberry Fields Forever

Pema Chödrön, an American nun once remarked: “Each moment is just what it is. It might be the only moment of our life; it might be the only strawberry we'll ever eat. We could get depressed about it, or we could finally appreciate it and delight in the preciousness of every single moment of our life.” Proverbs 4:1-5 reminds us: “Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.”

The strawberry is a widely grown hybrid plant cultivated worldwide for its fruit. The genus Fragaria, the strawberry, is part of the rose family: Rosaceae. The fruit is appreciated for its aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and when ripe, sublime sweetness. Strawberry fields are cultivated to grow strawberries for the peak locally grown season of summer, but some varieties are available either earlier or later. Farmers use various techniques to grow strawberries in fields, including traditional open-ground systems and plasticulture systems with raised beds. These fields are planted with strawberry plants, producing the appetizing “multiple fruits” that taste so good for many, and may reflect detailed aspects of life itself.

"Strawberry Fields" can also relate to a former Salvation Army children's home in Liverpool, England, that inspired the Beatles song "Strawberry Fields Forever," which was released in 1967. The song, written by John Lennon, captures a sense of nostalgia, alienation, and the exploration of reality and perception, partly inspired by his own childhood memories of playing in the grounds of Strawberry Fields. While the song's lyrics delve into deeper themes, "Strawberry Fields" itself was a place of refuge and solace for children, some of whom may have been orphans or temporarily living there due to difficult home circumstances. Strawberry Field and the original Victorian house were gifted to The Salvation Army in 1934. In 1936, it was opened as a children’s home for girls later accepting boys. From then on, until its closure in 2005, it gave some of Liverpool’s most vulnerable children a refuge from turmoil and unhappiness – a safe, calm and spiritual home.

Strawberries can be linked to religious symbolism, particularly in Christian traditions. They are associated with purity, the Trinity, and the blood of Christ. Among other things, strawberry fields may be seen as a place where knowledge and inspiration can grow. The act of picking the fruit can be a reminder that all good things may take time to come. The three-lobed leaves of the plant are often regarded as a symbol of the Holy Trinity. This analogy might, in a metaphorical sense, equate to the shelter that God can provide to all. The notion being that God's influence and care extend to all aspects of life, in both the pleasant and the challenging. The "strawberry fields" are considered the joys and beauty that life can afford, and the "shelter" constitutes protection and provision. Strawberries can contribute to feelings of strength and energy. They are a good source of nutrients that support various bodily functions, including muscle function and energy production. Strawberries contain vitamin C, manganese, and potassium, as well as antioxidants like phenols, which can help the body create energy at the cellular level. Additionally, their nitrate content can improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles, potentially reducing fatigue and making exercise feel easier.

While strawberries are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, they have been associated with religious and spiritual symbolism, including representing "God's food" or divine concepts. While not a widely recognized allegory of protection, strawberries can indirectly represent safeguarding through associations with virtue, provision, and even the heart, which might be seen as blessings or manifestations of divine shielding.

God’s shelter and protection encompass the past, present and the future. 1 Kings 19:8-16 describes Elijah's journey to Mount Horeb (Sinai), where he encounters God in a "still, small voice" after experiencing powerful manifestations of God's presence in wind, earthquake, and fire. God then commissions Elijah to anoint new leaders, including Elisha as his successor. All journeys require sustenance, but God’s nutriment is the fruitiest of all.

The passage reminds us: “And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.