Leader:
In a farming community, the harvest, gathered and sown, is an integral part of human life. In Biblical tradition, the harvest has represented the gift of Yahweh, the covenant with God, the last judgment, wealth and messianic times. The harvest is dependent on the "seed" and the seed symbolizes the Word of God which has been planted in our hearts. Let us pray that the seed, Who is the Lord of our hearts, may be planted, fed and nourished by our lives.
Pause for silent prayer
Reading I: Matthew 13: 4 – 9
A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. While the farmer was scattering seed, some of it fell along the road and was eaten by birds. Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn’t very deep. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have enough roots. Some other seeds fell where thorn bushes grew up and choked the plants. But a few seeds did fall on good ground where the plants produced a hundred or sixty or thirty fold. If you have ears to hear, listen!
Pause for reflection
Leader:
You did not choose me; no, I chose you and commissioned you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last; and the Father will give you anything you ask in My Name.
Voice I.
Sing to Yahweh in gratitude
Play the lyre for our God
Voice II.
Who covers the heavens with clouds
To provide the earth with rain
Voice I
To produce fresh grass on the hillsides
And the plants that are needed for all
Voice II
Who gives food to the cattle
And to the young ravens when they cry
Voice I
Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him
To those who rely on His love
Voice II Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem
Zion, praise your God
Voice I
Glory be…
Voice II
As it was in the beginning…
All:
You did not choose me; no, I chose you and commissioned you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last; and the Father will give you anything you ask in my Name.
Reading II: Matthew 13: 31-32
Jesus told them another story: The Kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a farmer plants a mustard seed in a field. Although it is the smallest of all seeds, it grows larger that any garden plant and becomes a tree. Birds even come and nest on its branches.
Leader:
Let us pause now to reflect on the "seeds" of our lives for which we are thankful. Let us then share together our prayers of thanksgiving, either aloud or in silence.
Pause for sharing
Add spontaneous intercessions
All:
The Lord's Prayer
Prayer:
God, Our Father, you have planted the seed, which is your Son, in our hearts. May we, with the gift of your Spirit, allow this seed to be nourished and watered by our everyday experiences, so that like the mustard seed, it may become a tree whose branches shelter all who come. We ask this in the Name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.