The reading today from the Book of Judges 9:6-15 is most interesting and pertinent. Ambimelek it seems a rather nasty man has killed loads of people including his brothers to become King of Israel. The dream of his brother Joatham brings him down to earth.

The trees debate amongst themselves who should be king. The olive tree, the fig tree and the vine all decline the offer. Why should they want to be the tallest in the forest when they can produce the delights of oil, wine, and fruit? Only the useless thorn tree takes up the offer.

What does this tell us? We strive for position, for kingship in many forms, but we ignore what we already have and give and what by position we could lose. Let the thorns be happy in their positions.