Water Falling From The Sky

Mom and I have a huge backyard. This huge backyard was a tropical Hawaiian paradise when my dad was alive and in charge of growing things in it. Once he got sick, no one was taking care of this gorgeous lush green straight out of a magazine landscape and it all withered and died. In the 2+ plus years since dad has died, mom has made it her mission to clear the land per my dad’s wishes, as he knew that she and I could never manage keeping plants alive there. Now our huge backyard is a blank canvas of dirt, nothing but dirt, and three trees that the birds planted because Lord knows we didn’t. A couple of weeks ago California had actual weather. Seriously, water was coming out of the sky for a few days even. I forget the word for this phenomenon, but it was crazy. The Californians forgot how to drive, we had no devices to pop open to cover ourselves from the water, we almost called for schools to be closed, we had to remember how to turn on car windshield wipers, it was a situation. Two days after the water phenomenon, the dirt in our huge backyard transformed into a lush green beautiful sea of weeds, fence to fence weeds, there were even weeds growing up through the cement in the patio! Mom and I were shocked and amazed at the sight because we had no idea that such a thing could happen in our dirt, nothing but dirt yard! How could this be? It was like some sort of weird miraculous annunciation that had nothing to do with us except that we had cleared the space for it to happen. Somehow, when mom was clearing the land and removing all the dead growth, seeds were planted, and the growing of those seeds did not depend on our “doing” anything, but everything to do with nature’s aptitude. And that is the message of today’s gospel. Sometimes we plant the seeds and sometimes the seeds are planted in us. It is “none of our business” how those seeds grow, as we cannot “do” the growing, it is our business to let God’s aptitude yield the harvest. When grace rains (oh, there’s the word for water coming out of the sky!) on our dirt fields, growth, abundant growth happens if we just “be” who He created us to be. Being, not doing is our only business when it comes to letting God sow grace in us. That grace will flourish and spread when the rains come and nourish it. We are simply to receive the rain and allow God to reign. 

The spread of the weeds in our backyard was a lovely reminder that someone else is in charge of the growing. My part is to clear the land to receive the rain. Clearing the land spiritually sounds like, “Be still and know that I am God.” May we be still today so as to receive the rain of grace that will grow the Kingdom of God. It is well with my soul. 

Here is a video I put together inspired by the weeds in our backyard. It’s a short prayer for us today. https://youtu.be/T0Edbg9XyJo  P.S. Water is predicted to fall from the sky for the next three days here!! Please pray for the Californians. 

Reading 1 HEB 10:32-39

Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, 
you endured a great contest of suffering.
At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; 
at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.
You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison 
and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, 
knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; 
it will have great recompense.
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.

For, after just a brief moment,
he who is to come shall come;
he shall not delay.
But my just one shall live by faith,
and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him.

We are not among those who draw back and perish, 
but among those who have faith and will possess life.

Responsorial Psalm PS 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. 
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm, 
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Alleluia SEE MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds:
"This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come."

He said,
"To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade."
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.