frangipani july 26 2006

 

windowsill taken july 26 2006

 

july 28 2006

Jer 3:14-17 Return, rebellious children, says the LORD, for I am your Master; I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan,and bring you to Zion. I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart,who will shepherd you wisely and prudently. When you multiply and become fruitful in the land, says the LORD, They will in those days no longer say,“The ark of the covenant of the LORD!” They will no longer think of it, or remember it, or miss it, or make another. At that time they will call Jerusalem the LORD’s throne; there all nations will be gathered together to honor the name of the LORD at Jerusalem,and they will walk no longer in their hardhearted wickedness.

Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13
R. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,he guards them as a shepherd his flock.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
The LORD shall ransom Jacob,he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,they shall come streaming to the LORD(s blessings:The grain, the wine, and the oil,the sheep and the oxen.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,and young men and old as well.I will turn their mourning into joy,I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Mt 13:18-23 Jesus said to his disciples:“Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it,who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
"They will walk no longer in hardhearted wickedness." The first reading tells of the return of faith to the people who have forgotten the ways of God. Jeremiah, the prophet called out in the midst of trials and fallen times to the people to again return to God and God's ways. The gospel reading repeats this week. The seed that is sown on rich soil will yield even a hundredfold. There are great rewards from the life of faith.

I pray this morning for an increase in the Church of young believers. Only a few true disciples will yield great works. Sometimes I see diminishment of the Religious Life in this country and wonder why but I think that if the life is rooted in rich soils it will continue and if it is on a path or shallow ground it will not. I pray that my heart be open, and willing not hardened and my ears and eyes open to the love of Christ in all.