Father's Day

"Jesus said to the crowds: 'This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. ' " - Mark 4:26-28

As a father, I'm often amazed at the things my kids know and understand. How they can absorb so much from around them (even though sometimes I wish they didn't), and grow into little people with so much to say, and so much to do. It reminds me of how important and sacred life is, and how fast time goes in our short lives.

While don't think this passage (or this lectio divina) is meant to be a treatise on the sanctity of life - I do think it's a clear reminder to us all as to what's inside all of us - and how important it is to continue to grow within. As I look at my kids, I know they'll grow up with or without my influence - kids have a way of doing that. But for them to grow to be who I hope they'll be - kind, loving and dedicated people - requires intervention on my part. A commitment to them that I'll always do my best to help them as they grow, in the best way I can think of. A commitment that will hopefully result in their desire to keep growing on their own.

And that's the point Jesus is trying to make here - that regardless, people will grow up. They'll continue on with their lives, all while God looks on, providing silent guidance, love and care. And when our time comes, we'll be brought back to God. But there's a sobering subject in between the lines - that who we grow to be, which is entirely up to us - determines how God looks upon our lives.

And while it may seem like a lot of pressure, we also need to remember that God is with us for it all - and wants us to grow with him. He wants to see us succeed, and wants to welcome us back to our eternal home.

And he's given us his only son to help figure out what that means, in people terms.