Psalm 104: 14-16

Read:

Psalm 104

¹⁴ You make grass grow for flocks and herds*

and plants to serve mankind;

¹⁵ That they may bring forth food from the earth,*

and wine to gladden our hearts,

¹⁶ Oil to make a cheerful countenance,*

and bread to strengthen the heart. 

Think: 

So this passage stuck out to me because I was looking on Pinterest yesterday or the day before for housewarming party ideas, and there was this gift idea on there bring a loaf of bread so you will never go hungry, salt so you will always have flavor and wine so that this house will have prosperity.  I was wondering where it came from, and I thought it might have been in proverbs and it may be- but it also might be based on the pericope from Psalm 104. (Side note I love the word pericope- a word so much more grown up sounding than snippet).  Anyway back to my thoughts on this passage.  As I child I remember my mom used to have the passage "Choose this day whom you will serve as for me and my house we will serve the Lord" from Joshua... its one of the few verses of the Bible that I don't remember learning but just know, and I think that in my house we have come quite a long way to love and serve the Lord. I mean we both have been working for the Church for most of our adult lives in one capacity or another, and we hope to continue to follow that calling as priests in the relatively near future but right now we are serving as transitional deacons.   But I know that sometimes I need reminding that the bread, the salt, the wine,the oil, the grass etc its all here because of God.  They are all here to serve a purpose (as the blind man in the Gospel reading for today was there to serve a purpose) as we are all created to serve a purpose.  The order of creation is that grass grows for flocks and hearts and plans to serve mankind, but man kind must cultivate the plants to bring forth wine and oil and food and mankind must likewise be cultivated by God so that we might have a cheerful countenance and strong heart.  What more can I do to Lord?  I find myself asking this so often, knowing that I already know the answer.  Love more.  

Pray: 

Creator God, Father almighty, thank you for reminding me of the order of Creation, that every plant, tree, animal and person has value and purpose.  Help me to remember that everything I eat, use or consume is yours.  I ask you to remind me of this when I think that something is mine, when it really isn't.  Remind me of this when I callously throw something away, unused or unwanted.  Remind me of this when some one comes to me seeking my help, that I am but an instrument of your hand in the world and it is not my will but your will to be done, and your will is ultimately that of Love.  I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen 

Contemplate: 

20 minutes Centering prayer.