ROOTS
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily for this 14th Friday in
Ordinary Time is, ”Roots.”
Last night I read over the readings for today - and the
theme of “Roots” hit me.
My method is to simply look for some image or idea in the
readings for us to think about for that day.
Since Hosea talks in this particular reading about trees -
the theme of roots hit me.
I am not good when it comes to knowing the names of
trees. I followed a priest once who knew the names of all trees. Not me. It would be nice if I knew more than
Christmas trees.
Did you notice in today’s first reading that Hosea talks about 3 trees: the cypress, the cedar
and the olive. Then he also talks about
grape vines as well as the lily flower.
All five have roots and all 5 need to be watered.
Roots needs water
to rise, to grow, to blossom, to spread,
to continue.
WE DON’T LOOK AT ROOTS.
It’s interesting that we look at trees, but usually don’t
look at roots.
It’s like we spot the top of the table - and what’s on it
- but usually don’t look at the legs of a table.
Next time you’re in a wooded area, stop to look at the
roots of the different trees. Be careful. They can trip you up.
Or if you’re walking the dog - when it’s light - spot the
roots as you walk up or down the street.
Next time you see a tree that has been knocked over
because of a flood or steady downpour - and then some winds - take a good look at
the exposed roots and how extensive they are.
Realize that roots
are like what holds up a tree.
FAMILY ROOTS
Hopefully, we realize we are roots - family roots - of
our family tree - and hopefully we do
our best with good example and family presence and support - to the rest of the
family tree.
VALUES
Family values are the roots we build our life on.
We need to realize parents want their kids to grow up with the best values.
STRENGHEN
Jesus spent his time trying to strengthen his disciples
for life’s struggles.
He knew sometimes we are sheep and there are wolves
around. He told us to be shrewd as serpents and as simple as doves.
Shrewd and simple: what a smart self description - or
daily goal.
He knew we need to grow stronger and stronger.
He knew trees and plants need to be watered.
CONCLUSION
Let me `close with a simple story about all this - in
case I didn’t hit home and touch your roots.
A couple were running into problems in their marriage -
so for some reason they decided to buy and plant a tree in their back yard.
They planted it in the corner of their backyard, and said to each other, “If this tree survives, we survive. If it
grows we grow. If it doesn’t make it, we’ll split. That’s it.”
At their 25th and 50th anniversary,
they renewed their vows under that tree, adding, “Many a time we caught the
other sneaking out in the night to water that tree.”
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Picture on top:
Uprooted tree over the trail at Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge, Long Island, New York, Nov. 1, 2012, following Hurricane Sandy (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Todd Weston) In NCR
