THE GOSPEL
Mark 4:26-34To what shall we compare the kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
O
God,
plant in us,
like you do the
tiny mustard plant,
all your blessed roots
Please, dig down deep into our souls!
Rain into our hearts and minds!
Grow us into so large a bush
that all of our actions,
all of our ideas,
all of our
loves
nestle
and shelter
in your branches.
Make the birds of the sky
and all of creation
dwell in
your
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 our
boughs.
