In this weekend's first reading (Ez 17:22-24), the prophet Ezekiel offers a beautiful image of tearing off “a tender shoot” from a cedar tree and planting it on a high mountain. The cedar tree has a unique aroma and the supple nature of its young branches. What if we applied this image to our own discipleship.
A tender shoot, torn off a more mature branch, can be planted straight into the ground. This little shoot–like you and me–may have been comfortable where it was, but it has been called to another task. It is young, but it has a powerful life force within it. This shoot has been carefully selected and planted with great purpose. Like this little branch, you and I are sometimes thrust into positions that we didn’t choose, but we always have the ability to choose how we respond.
With summer upon us and the lure of going on vacation or going “up north” an ever-present temptation, do we continue to truly “bloom where we are planted”? Do we keep God first even when we are away from home? Is the desire to please God and live by His commandments foremost in our hearts even if we are in a new location? That challenge is also echoed in St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians (5:6-10)….to be courageous….to be disciples of Christ….to evangelize….to live the faith no matter where we are, who we are with, or who is watching. Will you live up to the challenge?
Peace,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E.-Gretz)
A tender shoot, torn off a more mature branch, can be planted straight into the ground. This little shoot–like you and me–may have been comfortable where it was, but it has been called to another task. It is young, but it has a powerful life force within it. This shoot has been carefully selected and planted with great purpose. Like this little branch, you and I are sometimes thrust into positions that we didn’t choose, but we always have the ability to choose how we respond.
With summer upon us and the lure of going on vacation or going “up north” an ever-present temptation, do we continue to truly “bloom where we are planted”? Do we keep God first even when we are away from home? Is the desire to please God and live by His commandments foremost in our hearts even if we are in a new location? That challenge is also echoed in St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians (5:6-10)….to be courageous….to be disciples of Christ….to evangelize….to live the faith no matter where we are, who we are with, or who is watching. Will you live up to the challenge?
Peace,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E.-Gretz)
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