Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 17: 22-24

I don’t know too much about trees and plants.  I do remember that my Mom had a plant graveyard in the basement of our house.  The dead plants piled up there until they were thrown out.  Today God promises that a shoot will grow on a high and lofty mountain.  Remember that King David’s line was described as a “shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse.”  God will make David’s lineage thrive and continue on forever.  God will make it bloom and animals will find protection in its shade.  “As I the Lord, have spoke, so will I do.”  It will happen.

We give thanks for our families (lineage.)  Ask God to bless each of your family members.  God, let them thrive in your care.

2 Corinthians 5: 6-10

“We walk by faith…”  Those few words are quite important for us in the Christian life.  When I celebrate a baptism of an adult or a wedding, these words have special meaning.  They are also important for today’s celebration of Father’s Day.  The newly baptized are embarking upon a special journey that they have not experienced previously.  They are called to live the faith of Jesus in their lives and they might not be sure where that journey will take them.  Newly married couples also walk by faith because it is their faith in each other and in God that will guide them.  Indeed all people walk forward in their Christian journey not knowing how it will end, but knowing that God will be there for them.

How do you sense yourself walking in faith?  Is it too hard sometimes?  What is God asking of you as you walk the path to him?

Mark 4: 26-34

Science attempts to discover the truths of our universe – a noble task.  There is not a conflict between science and religion because both seek to answer the same questions?  How do things in this world work?  What is our place?  We want to understand our universe and science and religion help us do that task.  Jesus tells us that there are sometimes truths beyond our ability to understand.  The farmer doesn’t necessarily know how his crop grows but he is still confident and hopeful  that the harvest will be fruitful.   We might not understand completely the workings of the world but we can be confident that God directs us and cares for us.

What don’t you understand?  What puzzles you?  Ask God to help you understand what you can.  Ask for the trust necessary to place yourself in His hands for those things you don’t understand.

 

I invite your comments.