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LAMP Ministries is a Catholic lay
missionary association, comprised of people
who serve among the materially poor, with a
focus on evangelization. LAMP missionaries may
be married couples, single men and women, as
well as religious brothers, sisters and priests. |
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A Call
To Holiness |
Are
you called to the mission of
Lamp? |
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Make
A Donation |
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Although you may
not be able to visit a materially poor person or
family in a crowded shelter or walk-up apartment
in the New York City Metropolitan area, you can
help to make it possible for a LAMP Missionary
to do so. |
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"You,
Lord, give light to my lamp; my God, You brighten the
darkness about me."
- Psalm 18:28 |
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Let's Evangelize the World!
a blog by Mike Phelps
email: mike.bronx at
yahoo.com |
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The Man and the Sapling |
This
is a story about one tiny
seed. When it was planted, I
cannot say. Who planted it,
I do not know. Who watered
it before, I cannot tell.
What will become of the
seed, only God knows.
Nevertheless, a glimpse of
green, a bit of a blade, is
pushing up through the soil.
Despite all the mystery, I
can share a simple story of
one man who is tending the
soil, watering hard ground
that many thought was only
lifeless dirt, and the small
sapling that is reaching
towards the sun of justice
with its healing rays.
Lest you think the story is
of no concern to you, know
from the start, this can be
your story, too! Or perhaps,
it would be more proper to
say you can enter a story
that is happening right in
your own neighborhood or
start a new story in a patch
of soil in your very own
backyard. (Of course, it is
possible to be part of this
story by praying for the man
and the sapling!)
Before I tell the story, let
me first share a few
Scripture verses, and
thoughts from commentators
more knowledgeable than
myself. I will do this
without further explanation
from myself, allowing you to
apply the scriptures to the
story, and allowing the Holy
Spirit to water the seeds
planted in your heart.
Scriptures and
Commentary
Then Jesus said, “What is
the Kingdom of God like? How
can I illustrate it? It is
like a tiny mustard seed
planted in a garden; it
grows and becomes a tree,
and the birds come and find
shelter among its branches.”
This parable stresses the
great results that can grow
out of tiny beginnings. The
small mustard seed becomes a
shrub that may reach nine
feet in height…. Parables
give us flashes of
understanding. From this
parable we learn primarily
that we must expect the
beginnings of the Kingdom in
the smallest happenings and
(in the world’s eyes) the
most insignificant people.
Jesus also said, “Here is
another illustration of what
the Kingdom of God is like:
A farmer planted seeds in
the field, and then he went
on with his other
activities, [sleeping and
rising night and day]. As
the days went by, the seeds
sprouted and grew without
the farmer’s help, because
the earth produces crops on
its own. First a leaf blade
pushes through, then the
heads of wheat are formed,
and finally the grain
ripens. And as soon as the
grain is ready, the farmer
comes and harvests it with a
sickle.”
The parable of the sleeping
farmer … shatters the
illusions of those who think
that they can control the
coming of God’s Kingdom.
Indeed, says Mark, “God’s
ways are not our ways! We
must be patient and let God
be God!”
The ones who do the planting
or watering aren’t
important, but God is
important because he is the
one who makes the seed grow.
The one who plants and the
one who waters work as a
team with the same purpose….
We work together as partners
who belong to God. You are
God’s field, God’s
building—not ours.
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give beauty for
ashes, joy instead of
mourning, praise instead of
despair. For the LORD has
planted them like strong and
graceful oaks for his own
glory.
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