THE GOSPEL
Mark 4:26-34To what shall we compare the kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
O
God,
like
the tiny
mustard plant,
give us your roots.
Dig down deep into our souls!
Storm into our hearts and minds!
Grow into so large a plant
that all of our actions
all of our ideas,
all our loves
nestle
and shelter
in your branches.
Make all of your people,
all of the birds of the sky and
all of creation dwell in our shade.
THE FIRST READING
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Thus says the Lord God: I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar,
from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot,
and plant it on a high and lofty mountain!
Lord God,
Please love our topmost branches.
Cleanse the tender shoot
that is our heart.
Do your
wondrous works.
Let us put forth fruit
and branches
that sweep
the sky.
Let birds of every kind dwell there,
every winged thing, in the
shade of their
boughs.
