Introduction to the Word and Liturgy for Worship
And Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how."
-Mark 4:26-27 (ESV)
Jesus . . . is drawing attention to the divine provision which meets [the disciples'] limitations. If they wonder how they will achieve anything, if the soil is so dominant [Mk 4:1-9, 13-20], they must remember that they are not the only ones at work. . . . For the moment, here in Mark, Jesus is encouraging his disciples in this, as in everything else, not to judge only by what is observable on the surface, any more than they would judge a harvest just after the seed has been sown. There is hidden energy at work below the surface, as the gospel message is preached and enacted.
The Collect of the Day
O Lord, from whom all good proceeds: Grant us the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may always think those things that are good, and by your merciful guidance may accomplish the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
First Reading: Ezekiel 31:1-14
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Psalm 92 (posted below the Playlist)
Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-34
A downloadable Home Liturgy with Spiritual Communion follows the Psalm
(click below on the Spotify Playlist to listen)
Psalm 92
1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, *
and to sing praises unto your Name, O Most High,
2 To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning, *
and of your faithfulness in the night season,
3 Upon an instrument of ten strings and upon the lute, *
with the sound of melody upon the harp.
4 For you, Lord, have made me glad by your deeds, *
and I will shout for joy because of your handiwork.
5 O Lord, how glorious are your works; *
your thoughts are very deep.
6 The dull of heart does not consider this, *
and a fool does not understand it:
7 Though the ungodly are as green as the grass,
and though all the workers of wickedness flourish, *
they shall be destroyed for ever; but you, Lord,
are the Most High for evermore.
8 For lo, your enemies, O Lord, lo, your enemies shall perish, *
and all the workers of wickedness shall be destroyed.
9 But my horn shall be exalted like the horns of wild bulls; *
for I am anointed with fresh oil.
10 My eye also shall see its desire upon my enemies, *
and my ear shall hear with joy the end of the wicked
who rise up against me.
11 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, *
and shall spread abroad like a cedar in Lebanon.
12 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord *
shall flourish in the courts of our God.
13 They also shall bring forth fruit in their old age, *
and shall be green and full of sap,
14 That they may show how upright the Lord is, *
my rock, in whom there is no unrighteousness.
(from the New Coverdale Psalter as found in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer)