SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

A determined young man bought a run down, abandoned farm. The fields were overgrown with weeds, the farmhouse roof had caved in, and the fences were broken. During his first day of work, the local priest stopped by to bless the man’s work, saying, “May you and God work together to make this the farm of your dreams.”  a few months later, the priest stopped by again and was amazed at the progress. The farmhouse was completely rebuilt, livestock were feeding in well-fenced pens, and the fields were filled with crops planted in neat rows. “This is wonderful!” the priest said. “Look what God and you have accomplished together.”  “Yes  Father,” said the young farmer, “but don’t forget what the farm was like when God was working it alone.”

Deacon Dick Folger