Matthew 9:36

Part of this Sunday's Gospel reading is the inspiration for one of the songs in our play, Acorns to Oaks! I am going to call all the kids and give them the heads up! I LOVE when the readings are familiar to the kids because they have sung them or acted them out!

Here is the part of the reading (Matthew 9:36) :

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus' heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

Here are some of the words from our song:
The harvest is planted but the workers are few.
And Lord, there are so many people who need to know you!
So here I am Lord, send me, send me!
Here I am, Lord, send me, send me!

Another passage reference is, of course: Isa.6:8

1. [8] And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."

A Sower Went to Sow Some Seeds

I was visiting A Bit of Blarney today and found this wonderful thought. . . . it is only slightly paraphrased.

"The garden I should be worrying about is not the one with the weeds in the soil outside.
The garden where the weeds need to be pulled and seeds need to be planted is the garden of my soul, The Real Garden.
Goodness! What a revelation. For how my soul looks with its weeds and flowers is also how I appear to others who witness my works."

We are preparing our After School Theater production of "Acorns to Oaks" at my school. It is a play that speaks to children about this very idea of our souls and lives as gardens. It helps everyone (young and old) reflect on their lives as gardens that, hopefully, glorify God. There are lots of metaphors in the play, from very obvious to sublimely subtle.
The thoughts expressed over at A Bit of Blarney harmonized so beautifully with our play that I just had to include it in my Catholic Notebook.