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(Ez.17:22-24;\xa0\xa0 Ps.92:2-3,13-16;\xa0\xa0 2Cor.5:6-10;\xa0\xa0 Mk.4:26-34) \u201cThey that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.\u201d The imagery today is of trees and plants and the growth and strength of the kingdom of God.\xa0 \u201cThe just one shall flourish like a palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow,\u201d our psalmist rejoices, and adds, \u201cThey shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be.\u201d\xa0 In our gospel Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God is like the seed that grows gradually, imperceptibly into ripe grain ready for the harvest, and compares it also to the mustard seed, \u201cthe smallest of all the seeds on the earth,\u201d which \u201csprings up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.\u201d God is the seed from which all is sprung.\xa0 Jesus is the \u201ctender shoot\u201d spoken of by Ezekial.\xa0 Taken from \u201cthe crest of the cedar,\u201d the humble bloom of the house of Israel, He is \u201cplanted on a high and lofty mountain\u201d \u2013 raised up to the right hand of the Father \u2013 and by the power of the Holy Spirit, thence He \u201cput[s] forth branches and bear[s] fruit, and become[s] a majestic cedar\u201d: His apostles and prophets go forth and plant the Word of God in all hearts; and as it grows unto heaven and blossoms forth in the works of every Christian, the Church is made to stand fast in the sight of the Lord.\xa0 \u201cBirds of every kind shall dwell beneath it\u201d; everyone who seeks refuge from the heat of the sun that is this world of sin beating down upon the human soul shall find in His Church a place of peace and comfort, a house in which he is nourished and sent on his flight, carrying the love of our God across the heavens to all lands. Brothers and sisters, let us be \u201ccourageous,\u201d as indeed Paul declares we are.\xa0 Let us be strong and sturdy lowly trees growing by the grace of God to heavenly heights in all our deeds on earth.\xa0 Though \u201cwe would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord,\u201d though we would today see the kingdom of heaven fulfilled before our eyes, yet as long as we have the flesh of this tree enrobing our souls, let us always \u201caspire to please Him,\u201d to please our God, to grow closer each day to where He sits on His throne in the kingdom, that when we \u201call appear before the judgment seat of Christ\u201d we \u201ceach may receive recompense\u201d and together \u201csing praise to\u2026 [the] Most High.\u201d Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Gradual Heaven" from All One, sixth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let us dwell beneath the shade of your boughs when harvest time has come, when your Son returns. YHWH, let us be planted in your House and grow by your grace into your kingdom, where you dwell in the highest Heaven.\xa0 We are but lowly creatures, weak and prone to sin, but by your Son and by His Word and His blood we are strengthened and rise, we know not how, to your throne, where He sits with you in eternal glory with all the angels and saints who have done your will in this world. How can we be made worthy of your kingdom, O LORD?\xa0 How can we be courageous, believing that we shall be saved from this corruptible flesh and come home to you?\xa0 Is it not the lowly one you look upon?\xa0 Is it not to save just such as us that you have sent your Son, who has instructed His disciples, who have instructed us, and through whom we are blessed?\xa0 O let this Tree be a tree of life growing ever unto your kingdom, all souls entering there with songs of praise to your NAME!