Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

He proposed another parable to them. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’”

He spoke to them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.

Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

In this Sunday’s gospel Jesus tells us three parables. The first parable reminds us that there will be a final judgment on our lives. We will be held responsible for the choices we make. Our choices can keep us outside the Kingdom of God. The second and third parables about the mustard seed and the yeast emphasize the amazing potential of God’s Kingdom to grow from small beginnings to large proportions.

Both of these lessons hold powerful messages. What is my response to them?

WOMEN WITH SPIRIT: August 7—9, Thurs. – Sat. at the Benedictine Retreat Center in Cullman, Alabama for women from the three parishes in our area. The day will include some quiet time, some creative time, some exercise time, some sharing time – all based on Women With Spirit. If you know of any women from other denominations who might be interested, please invite them to come along. Partial scholarships are available. Please let Pat or Sister know if you plan to attend.

U. S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: Migration: What are the forces that cause human migration? How will the presidential candidates address immigration policy? The free trade agreements? Militarization: What do the candidates say about the wars in the Middle East? Our occupation of Iraq and pending war in Iran? How about the militarization of our youth? The border?

Environment: What are the candidates saying about global climate change? What are their proposed solutions? Green Jobs? Transportation? Air quality? Water? Poverty and Economic Analysis: How will candidates bridge the dividing gap between the rich and the growing number of people who are poor? What about home foreclosures? Education for all? Food security? The growing number of homeless? Job security?
…taken from – A Quarterly Publication of 8th Day Center for Justice – Summer, 2008

LET’S HAVE HOPE
Here’s what I’ve decided: the very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof. What I want is so simple I almost can’t say it: elementary kindness. Enough to eat, enough to go around. The possibility that kids might one day grow up to be neither the destroyers nor the destroyed. That’s about it. Right now I’m living in that hope, running down its hallways and touching the walls on both sides. I can’t tell you how good it feels.
…….Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE: Please help out if you can with our outdoor maintenance, either by signing up or giving a financial donation. Thank you so much.

PRAYERS: Please continue to pray for those listed on the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Prayer Journal.

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LASER TONER CARTRIDGES: We can no longer accept laser toner cartridges as the program was cancelled. Thank you for all who contributed in the past.

INKJET: Inkjet cartridges are recycled through Empties4Cash.

Inkjet cartridges that have been previously recycled are not eligible.

CELL PHONES & their BATTERIES: Cell phones are collected for recycling now through EcoPhones. EcoPhones is the only program that pays for EVERY cell phone - up to $300 per phone - regardless of whether or not the phone(s) work and regardless of whether or not the phone(s) are on their price list. That is, you earn cash for every cell phone you collect including broken phones and phones not on our price list. Prices on their Cell Phone Purchase Price List reflect working phones only. Working phones are phones that power up, possess an undamaged LCD screen, make a test call and are not cracked or otherwise damaged. Non-working phone models that appear on the list will be credited 20% of the corresponding working phone price. Working and non-working phones not included on their price list will be credited at competitive prices. Cell phone prices are subject to change. Cell Phone Batteries are the most toxic components of cell phones. Please send all the batteries you collect to us to be properly recycled. People often have additional batteries and these should be included with the phones. EcoPhones DOES NOT recycle ear phones, chargers, cases, covers, etc. These items can be safely disposed of with your normal household waste.

RAISE FUNDS WHILE YOU SHOP: You can still make all your online purchases from participating merchants through Mighty Works. A percentage of your purchase will be sent to St. Francis of Assisi.
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