Part 1 of 2
Daily Office Readings for Sunday of Proper 6: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 93 and 96; Evening, Psalm 34;
Ecclesiasticus 46:11 to 20; Revelation 15:1 to 8; Matthew 18:1 to 14:
“He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven:” (Matthew 18:2 and 3).
I saw a news article yesterday where toddlers and young children naturally shared with one another. Somehow, however, we grow out of this loving attitude and become self-serving. Our Lord Jesus explains that unless we regain our God given position of being considerate of others we will not reach the paradise of heaven. We must re –learn the art of “being” the other, no matter who the other is. In this way we will never say that there is “no room in the inn.” or yell, “Crucify Him.”
Part 2 of 2
New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 6: Year B
2nd Corinthians 5:6 to 17 and Mark 4:26-34
“With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.” (Mark 4: 33 and 34)
Jesus has just given two examples of what the kingdom of God is like. He told them the kingdom of God is like great growth, be it like seed planted and grows to fullness. And, specifically like that of the mustard seed which starts out small but then becomes the home of living creatures different than itself.
He speaks to them, and to us, in parables only as we are able to hear it. The kingdom of God is definitely growing and will become the dominant way of loving life here on earth as it is in heaven. God does not have a plan B. We have choices. We can fight the growth of love that God has planted in us, as if we are some kind of weed or fungus. Or, we can be co-creators with God in bringing about God’s plan. In the end however, God wins!
Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 