Earth Day… April 22, 2009
Earth Day Flag
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When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that ‘looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.’ “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and
in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
-Luke 8:4-15 (NRSV)
Today’s Scripture
Some [seed] fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.
-Luke 8:8 (NRSV)
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I am a retired schoolteacher. Several months ago, I was invited to work in a church Bible class that serves underprivileged children. This experience has changed my life, and I can truly say that I receive more than I give. We work with desperately poor children, deprived in every way, especially at an emotional level. They are very affectionate and often demonstrate their compelling need for love.
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One day we were about to start our noon meal when the door opened and two little brothers from the poorest family walked in carrying a beautifully decorated cake. The other teacher and I looked at each other in astonishment. Here were two children, the poorest of the class, bringing a cake and placing it on the table for all to share. We went from astonishment to gratitude to God for reminding us all, particularly the teachers, of the lesson we try to teach: whatever our circumstances, we can always contribute or share something. The children’s action, nurtured by their family, bore profound witness to that truth.
Ana Aljas (Flores, Uruguay)
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Thought for the Day
Today, I will find ways to give to others.
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