Rollercoaster
Category: creation
Sam Moore Shelter
Blackburn AT Center
Shifting Focus
I’m taking a temporary pause from daily reading reflections. I need a few days to prepare for the next SLASH (Super Long A$$ Section Hiker) of the Appalachian trail. This will be a a Flip-Flop to SOBO (South Bound), ending in the city I ended in April of this year. Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia to Damascus, Virginia, about 571 miles. MY AT Number is 826 (2024), trail name Skittles. My posts will be primarily photos and short trail related reflections.
Previous Reflections Search Link. For this reading in the past: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog?s=Lk+6%3A39-42
At South Bound Search Link: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog?s=ATSOBO
All AT Search Link: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog?s=AT
Blessings,
Deacon Gerry
Sowing and Plowing: Exploring the Meaning and Symbolism
Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jer 1:1, 4-10; Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15 and 17; Mt 13:1-9
Sow what
A little word play there. Here is the NABRE commentary on the Parable of the Sower.
Since in Palestine sowing often preceded plowing, much of the seed is scattered on ground that is unsuitable. Yet while much is wasted, the seed that falls on good ground bears fruit in extraordinarily large measure. The point of the parable is that, in spite of some failure because of opposition and indifference, the message of Jesus about the coming of the kingdom will have enormous success.
Reference: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mt/13?3#48013003
Sow and Plow (Plough)
Sowing is to broadcast seed in a sweeping motion across the field to be later harvested. The sowing action is the first step. After sowing the farmer will then plow the earth to break up the soil and provide two benefits: (1) cover the seeds to protect them from birds; and (2) to make the soil ready to receive and hold the rain water.
Astro Science
If you want to take a cosmic view then this video on the James Webb Telescope Summary of Amazing Discoveries is a great place to start.
Summary
The seeds of God’s love is sown in a broadcast form. Meaning that the Lord does not scatter seed in little increments or for a select few but generously and completely across the entirety of living things, past, present and future. In particular for men a broadcast of the needed forgiveness and mercy we so desperately need.
In this natural state people respond, well, naturally. Sometimes responsive and sometimes not so well. Yet the Lord is not done. There is the plowing to come. In this second phase the Lord helps us to integrate these blessings into a fruitful life and a happy life.
The gift of the Son and the Holy Spirit is the covering over and aiding in the protection and growth of the seed within our hearts. Ya gotta dig a little dirt to get the best out of the blessings.
Reflection
Scattering blessings is a starting point. It is the evidence of the generosity of the Lord. He does not stop there. He sends gifts of himself (the Son and the Holy Spirit) to make the scattered seed grow.
Personal Reflection
It is always a cooperative effort between the divine and the human to bring about fruitfulness. You are not alone. You’re covered.
Sacred Readings
Full link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072424.cfm
First Reading
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
Responsorial
I will sing of your salvation.
Gospel Acclamation
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.
Gospel
The Parable of the Sower.
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables.
“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Wordless Wednesday Puff Cloud
Wordless Wednesday Lake Worth Beach Snook Island
Wordless Wednesday Spring Flowers
Can’t buy me love, Love
Greetings on this the Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Pt 1:3-9; Ps 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c; Mk 10:17-27
Notes
USCCB on-line bible, NABRE Commentary on Mark 10:23-27 – Since wealth, power, and merit generate false security, Jesus rejects them utterly as a claim to enter the kingdom. Achievement of salvation is beyond human capability and depends solely on the goodness of God who offers it as a gift (Mk 10:27).
Summary
Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
Reflection
For the rich man, he was satisfied he was fulfilling the naturally good path for relations between people. Jesus agreed with him. Yet, it is not enough and unsettling to the spirit to keep things at that simple level. Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
This is the deeper and more important question. How do I inherit eternal life?
Here are the KEY words: INHERIT and HEIR.
- To Inherit means to receive as a heir – someone who belongs to another by way of parents, ancestors or predecessor.
- To be an Heir – means to be legally entitled to rank or possession.
Said another way, What must I do to be legally entitled to eternal life, a life that belongs to God and I want it.
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him: “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
Rely upon God.
Personal Reflection
YouTube Song
This rich man had the power of the Centurion – personal power.
The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (MT 8:8-9).
What is needed is Divine Power.
Here is the tension in the answer. It is the power of the divine that allows us to follow Jesus. It is the decision of a person to follow Jesus. The impulse to follow is deep within us from our conception – What must I do to inherit eternal life? It is the faith bridge we must cross. We don’t cross it alone. The divine Jesus, looked at him, loved him, and encouraged him to cross the chasm of self-reliance to divine partnership.
First Reading
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
Responsorial
The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
Gospel Acclamation
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Gospel
The Rich Man.
A man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
[Jesus recites the 4th to 10th commandments, how we treat each other]
“Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
[The rich man was naturally righteous]
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
[The rich man was missing righteousness with G-d. The first to third commandments].
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Wordless Wednesday Limestone Creek Natural Area
