Measure for Measure

Jesus said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.” He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. Mark 4:21-34

Gracious Creator, author of abundance

you have set us free and made us well

supplying us with all the good fruits

yet we would covet what others have.

You promised more given if we share

abundant light to enliven the whole house

fertile harvests and rushing streams

shade enough to shelter all that need.

We have been greedy and selfish

again and again you tell us the story

drawing pictures of possibilities

where we have scorched the earth.

Remake us and reweave our hearts

let generosity and kindness be ours

so that we might give abundantly 

and that our land be blessed anew. Amen.