رونوشت کامل Consistency

year as I've worked to cultivate my garden. 00:03:55.280 --> 00:04:06.800 Whether it be not putting too many plants in a single pot, or making sure to give them enough water each day, or protecting them from the storms on my windy patio. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:14.159 I have tried to learn from these moments and to give my plants the best chance to thrive. 00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:21.199 So often throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus referring to growing things or tending to a field. 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:32.560 What's amazing is in over 2,000 years after Jesus told these parables, a lot of the references still resonate today. 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:36.959 In today's reading as well, in the New Testament from St. 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:43.360 Paul, he reminds us not to grow tired as we wait for our harvest. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:48.879 I will be the first to say it's very hard to wait for the harvest. 00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:52.720 It requires being attentive every day. 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:58.560 And above all, waiting can be described in a single word. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:00.000 Consistency. 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:20.399 All these little things add up to help keep my plants healthy as they mature and bear fruit. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:30.639 But when I lack that consistency, the plants tend to bear less fruit and often struggle to go grow. 00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:34.079 Just like my first year with that single cherry tomato. 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:41.839 Our faith, my friends, is a very similar exercise in consistency. 00:05:43.279 --> 00:05:46.720 Do we consistently make Jesus the Lord of our lives? 00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:53.040 Do we consistently find ways to see Jesus in the face of others? 00:05:54.000 --> 00:06:02.480 Do we consistently entrust ourselves to him that we might live out our vocations as we are called to do? 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:13.199 For myself, this consistency is often a struggle, as life of endless busyness always seems to get in the way. 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:29.120 However, I would encourage you all today, and even more importantly, trying to encourage myself to strive for the same consistency as we work to find our ways to Christ. 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:56.240 Finding him in the ordinary, in the daily routine, in our relationships, so that we might continue to consistently grow closer to him and continue to bear that fruit, that we might even have a sixth, a seventh, or an eighth cherry tomato. 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:38.879 With confidence we pray. 00:07:49.439 --> 00:08:03.600 Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:04.560 Amen. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:09.120 Let us pray. 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:15.519 Faithful God, give us grace for the days when we grow tired. 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:28.319 Help us to keep loving when it would be easier to turn away, and to remain faithful when we cannot yet see where you are leading us. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:37.679 When we become impatient with ourselves, teach us to trust the quiet work you are doing within us. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:44.799 May our lives, little by little, become a reflection of your goodness. 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:50.480 We ask this through Christ our Lord. 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:51.279 Amen. 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:57.039 To you do I belong, O God. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:00.720 Into your hands I surrender my life. 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:11.120 Pour out your Spirit upon me, that I may love you perfectly and serve you faithfully until my soul rests in you. 00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:20.720 I have to admit, I love that Justin measures gardening success one cherry tomato at a time. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:24.879 That gives me great comfort for my own spiritual life. 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:32.879 So today, instead of worrying about the whole harvest, we can simply be grateful for the next cherry tomato. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:40.320 And may God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:41.039 Amen. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:46.480 Look for Christ in the small things until we pray again tomorrow.