If We Bear the Seed for Sowing--March 3, 2016

Lord, teach us that if we are to bear

the seed for sowing, we also need time

to enjoy carrying home the sheaves;

that, having planted a vineyard,

it is acceptable to eat its fruit;

that we benefit from being together

with our sons and daughters

and their sons and daughters.

And teach us to recognize

when we need to seek out

a deserted place to rest a while

with you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 27; 147:12-20; 126; 102

Gen. 46:1-7, 28-34

1 Cor. 9:1-15

Mark 6:30-46

Selected Verses

Ps. 126:6

Those who go out weeping,
          bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
          carrying their sheaves.

Gen. 46:6-7

They also took their livestock and the goods that they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and they came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters; all his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.

1 Cor. 9:7

Who at any time pays the expenses for doing military service?  Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of its fruit?  Or who tends a flock and does not get any of its milk?

Mark 6:31

[Jesus] said to [the apostles], "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."  For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.