Why are there so many apple trees all over America? I have learned as a little boy that there was this man who scattered apple seeds as he walked all over the places he went. His name was “Johnny Appleseed.” How about you and me? What are we scattering as we journey through life? What will people attach to our names if and when they remember us after we are gone?
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In today’s Gospel (Mark 4:26-34), Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to that of a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds that grows to be a large and significant plant that even serves the birds of the sky. The Lord reminds us today that we are not defined by our small and humble beginnings, nor by our big achievements, as by the love and service we have shared.
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A person’s worth is not measured by who or what he/she is, or what he/she has, but by what others have become because of him/her. In a similar way, we can say that it is not what we have in our hands but the love that is in our hearts that truly defines us. What we have done for ourselves is impressive but what we have done for others is inspiring and edifying.
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Some people are interesting because of who they are, good or bad; some people are impressive because of what they own or have achieved; some people are inspiring because of what others have become because of them. Remember, every one of us can live a meaningful and inspiring life in our own special way.
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We do not have to have the looks, the brains, the money, or the achievements to be an inspiring person. We just do everything we do with love and with the heart.
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Happy Father’s Day! Today, we honor God, our loving, generous, forgiving, and merciful Father. As we thank Him, we also ask for forgiveness. We, His prodigal children, who often do not listen to Him, and even disobey Him. Bless our world that we have abused, and please renew the face of the Earth and the hearts of Your children who have become proud, ungrateful, and selfish.
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We remember and honor our own fathers who have loved and sacrificed much for us to have better lives.
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Someone once said that a father is a person who used to have money in his wallet, but now only has pictures of his children and grandchildren whom he proudly and gladly shares with anyone with delight. Yes, people, not things, make us truly happy.
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To all fathers, and to all who do fathering and caring for other people, remember these 6H: Honesty in all your dealings; Humility to people around you especially to the children; Hard work to provide for those under your care; Heart work to all who come to you in need; Humor so as to give hope and consolation; Holiness so as to be an image of God, our loving Father.
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I read somewhere that there are three kinds of people in our life: the leaf people who stay only for a while and then are gone; the branch people who stay with you for a few seasons then break away when life is tough; the root people who are unseen, who stay with you and love you and support you, especially in difficult times, and will continue to root for you.
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A moment with the Lord.Lord, our loving Father, help us to sow good seeds as we journey through life. Amen.
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