~~~ Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope ~~~
~~~ Judges 9:6-15 ~~~ Psalm 21 ~~~ Matthew 20:1-16 ~~~
The readings today from the Book of Judges almost reads
like a children's story.
like a children's story.
Trees talking about themselves as if they had something real to say.
The people are confused...they are looking for direction.
They have given up their false idols, but what about nature.
After all God created all of nature.
Is it not alright to consider placing them in a higher position?
But even the trees have their excuses...
The olive tree...Must I give up my rich oil...
The fig tree...Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit...
The vine...Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men...
These examples remind me of the many reasons
we tell ourselves that we cannot do more for the Lord
We too would be asked to sacrifice our rich oil, our sweetness,
our good fruit, and our cheerful wine.
Those things which we believe are valuable to us.
Finally one of the trees speaks up. He is willing to lead the 'trees'...
it is the buckthorn.
Just saying buckthorn makes me feel all prickly.
Pictures of a tree full of deer antlers comes into my mind.
Why would the trees pick the buckthorn?
It is ironic when the olive, fig, and the vine have
such wonderful things to contribute.
The buckthorn has this to offer...
...come and take refuge in my shadow.
Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
The buckthorn is not a tree, but an invasive troublesome bush.
It could not provide shade unless you were low down on the ground.
Buckthorns are common weeds...no one wants them in their yard.
It certainly is hardy, as is common with most weeds.
If the trees cannot decide among themselves
who will accept the role of leader.
Would they actually choose this weed
who has nothing of value to offer them?
It is a farce. The buckthorn instead, has evil plans to set fires.
Buckthorn is a real nuisance in forests today.
It has surprisingly been found that goats
like to chow down on buckthorn...
How interesting is that? Goats of all animals.
The forest specialists can avoid nasty pesticides by just
bringing in the goats to dine.
The goats do not bother the other trees, like the oak for instance.
In the parable of the workers today Jesus says again
the last shall be first and the first shall be last.
This causes those who had been working longer to become very unhappy.
They feel they should be paid more since they had worked longer.
God thinks otherwise...
consider the eternal life that is waiting for us.
In the eyes of God, whether you are a life time believer
or if you convert on your deathbed;
the same heavenly reward has been prepared for you.
We are all given an equal opportunity to secure
our place with the Lord.
The sooner the goats come to rid our hearts of the buckthorn
the happier we will be serving the Lord.
Blessings in loving God yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Our reward remains the same...heaven.
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