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Midniteoyl
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He counts the stars one and all
He knows how much sand is on the shores
He sees every sparrow that falls
He made the mountains and the seas
He's in control of everything
Of all creatures great and small
And He knows my name
Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry
He knows my name
When I'm overwhelmed by the pain
And can't see the light of day
I know I'll be just fine
'Cause He knows my name
I don't know what tomorrow may bring
I can't tell you what's in store
I don't know a lot of things
I don't have all the answers
To the questions of my life
But I know in Whom I have believed
He knew who I was when He carried my cross
He knew that I would fail Him but He took the loss
Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry
He knows my name
He knows how much sand is on the shores
He sees every sparrow that falls
He made the mountains and the seas
He's in control of everything
Of all creatures great and small
And He knows my name
Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry
He knows my name
When I'm overwhelmed by the pain
And can't see the light of day
I know I'll be just fine
'Cause He knows my name
I don't know what tomorrow may bring
I can't tell you what's in store
I don't know a lot of things
I don't have all the answers
To the questions of my life
But I know in Whom I have believed
He knew who I was when He carried my cross
He knew that I would fail Him but He took the loss
Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry
He knows my name
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lent
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and continues until daybreak on Easter Sunday.
The traditional purpose of Lent is to "sit" with Christ as he spends his 44 days in the wilderness, alone, and tormented by the Dark One. It is during this time that Catholics spend time reflecting on their sins....increasing their visits to Confession (Sacrament of Reconciliation), doing Penance, giving alms to the needy, and focusing on The Cross.
The reason for all the seemingly unpleasant stuff is that in the final week of Lent, Christ entered into His Passion beginning with His betrayal at the Last Supper. It is during this time that we are reminded that we are beset by the evils of the world, and through Christ's refusal to be tempted, we are reminded that we are often tempted...we are NOT Christ! So we take a good hard look at the lives we have been living over the past year, and through the redemptive power of God's forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our sins are absolved and we may begin anew.
We also contemplate Christ's sacrifice through His Passion, for US, for the salvation of all mankind. We retrace His footsteps in Jerusalem through the Stations of the Cross, we make small sacrifices of time and resources by giving a hand to the marginalised in society. We take our sins and inequities from OUR crosses, and nail them to His Cross. It can be a very somber time, with the weight of our own crosses, seemingly crushing the very life out of us. We are vulnerable in our sorrow, and especially subject to the temptations of the Dark One. Some may completely mortify the senses as i will be doing...some fast...some choose to renounce a habit or two in the hopes that in 44 days, that habit becomes forever broken.
But do not lose hope...do not become crushed by sorrow or temptation...because at the end of Holy Week...we reach EASTER!!!! At this moment, we can look beyond His Cross, to His Resurrection! Through His Resurrection he gained victory over death, and grants that very same victory to those that believe in Him.
It is very important to study His Passion, and especially his Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, where we see a rare, frail, human side of Jesus. He is at odds with his own humanity...even to the point of pleading to God His Father to "Take this cup from me" - Luke 22:42. He felt forsaken and betrayed not only by the sleeping Disciples...but by His Father! We need to see this in our Saviour because it reassures us that He was on of US! We are not alone in our occasional lack of faith and trust.
Lent is about sacrifice, it is about atonement, it is about making a good faith EFFORT at amending our lives....but MOST IMPORTANTLY...it is a time to remember that "With God, all things are possible" - Matthew 19:26, and that we can NOT make this effort without His help. What I want to stress the most at this time is that penance is not about quantity.....but QUALITY. There is no point in making a Lenten sacrifice that you will only resume after Easter brunch. Do what is truly possible..and be amazed at how much is truly possible with a deeper faith and trust in Jesus.
OH, and attend some fish fry's at your local Parish.....the proceeds help support the many missions of the Catholic Church to ease the suffering of those in need.....Lenten proceeds are forbidden to be used for any other purpose.
Pax Et Bonum
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and continues until daybreak on Easter Sunday.
The traditional purpose of Lent is to "sit" with Christ as he spends his 44 days in the wilderness, alone, and tormented by the Dark One. It is during this time that Catholics spend time reflecting on their sins....increasing their visits to Confession (Sacrament of Reconciliation), doing Penance, giving alms to the needy, and focusing on The Cross.
The reason for all the seemingly unpleasant stuff is that in the final week of Lent, Christ entered into His Passion beginning with His betrayal at the Last Supper. It is during this time that we are reminded that we are beset by the evils of the world, and through Christ's refusal to be tempted, we are reminded that we are often tempted...we are NOT Christ! So we take a good hard look at the lives we have been living over the past year, and through the redemptive power of God's forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our sins are absolved and we may begin anew.
We also contemplate Christ's sacrifice through His Passion, for US, for the salvation of all mankind. We retrace His footsteps in Jerusalem through the Stations of the Cross, we make small sacrifices of time and resources by giving a hand to the marginalised in society. We take our sins and inequities from OUR crosses, and nail them to His Cross. It can be a very somber time, with the weight of our own crosses, seemingly crushing the very life out of us. We are vulnerable in our sorrow, and especially subject to the temptations of the Dark One. Some may completely mortify the senses as i will be doing...some fast...some choose to renounce a habit or two in the hopes that in 44 days, that habit becomes forever broken.
But do not lose hope...do not become crushed by sorrow or temptation...because at the end of Holy Week...we reach EASTER!!!! At this moment, we can look beyond His Cross, to His Resurrection! Through His Resurrection he gained victory over death, and grants that very same victory to those that believe in Him.
It is very important to study His Passion, and especially his Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, where we see a rare, frail, human side of Jesus. He is at odds with his own humanity...even to the point of pleading to God His Father to "Take this cup from me" - Luke 22:42. He felt forsaken and betrayed not only by the sleeping Disciples...but by His Father! We need to see this in our Saviour because it reassures us that He was on of US! We are not alone in our occasional lack of faith and trust.
Lent is about sacrifice, it is about atonement, it is about making a good faith EFFORT at amending our lives....but MOST IMPORTANTLY...it is a time to remember that "With God, all things are possible" - Matthew 19:26, and that we can NOT make this effort without His help. What I want to stress the most at this time is that penance is not about quantity.....but QUALITY. There is no point in making a Lenten sacrifice that you will only resume after Easter brunch. Do what is truly possible..and be amazed at how much is truly possible with a deeper faith and trust in Jesus.
OH, and attend some fish fry's at your local Parish.....the proceeds help support the many missions of the Catholic Church to ease the suffering of those in need.....Lenten proceeds are forbidden to be used for any other purpose.
Pax Et Bonum
I really enjoy reading your explanations of Catholic things. I don't guess I have ever known anyone of Catholic faith and although I have heard the terms I don't know much about it. Thanks for enlightening me.
ANY question that you or other's may have regarding the Liturgical Calendar, Sacraments, Traditions, Stuff.....I am here. One of my duties is as a Catechist. Every year starting in September through Easter is spent teaching those who wish to join the Catholic faith. I am also a trained Apologetic, which means I answer the "Why do Catholics do that?" questions. Things such as our treatment of the Saints......the real deal on statues.....the Mary thing..etc. Unfortunately, scandals and a history of corruption and Catholic School horror stories have served to drive people away from what is truly the most beautiful and penetrating worship experience there is.I really enjoy reading your explanations of Catholic things. I don't guess I have ever known anyone of Catholic faith and although I have heard the terms I don't know much about it. Thanks for enlightening me.
Here is a video from the COOLEST nun on earth! Mother Angelica is the founder of Eternal Word Television and Radio...and a Poor Clare Nun (Franciscan Second Order) She is rather pithy at times and so personable. I had the pleasure of meeting some of the nuns whilst at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville AL. This video is "Bad Things Happen" and answers a lot of questions that so many people have about WHY God lets bad things happen! It's not as dry a video as you might think at first....this gal has tons of horse sense, as only a country girl can!!
I am not looking to join your faith but I am interested in learning more about it. I agree that many have been driven away by many awful things that have happened.
I am a bit spent for today so I'm not sure how long I'll hang around tonight. When you get a chance I'd love to hear about all the Saints. How many are there? Why is each important to you and how they came to be I guess. Honestly you could talk about pretty much anything regarding your faith and I would probably be learning something.
Have a good night and looking for a better tomorrow.
Unless a video has captions I don't get to enjoy it otherwise I'd watch.
That can be arranged!
I would love to share my insight on Saints and Angels!I am not looking to join your faith but I am interested in learning more about it. I agree that many have been driven away by many awful things that have happened.
I am a bit spent for today so I'm not sure how long I'll hang around tonight. When you get a chance I'd love to hear about all the Saints. How many are there? Why is each important to you and how they came to be I guess. Honestly you could talk about pretty much anything regarding your faith and I would probably be learning something.
Have a good night and looking for a better tomorrow.
And your friend loves you dearly.
Ok, I have just found that someone has started a thread for Atheists and skeptics. I know I do not have to do this...but I will anyway!
I fully plan on supporting that thread in a positive and friendly way, and would certainly hope, that in accordance with our Lord's command to us, that we love our brethren on the "other side of the fence" and with great compassion and the spirit of amitie....show them every kindness. I made my salutation, and on the heels of a few well meaning remarks regarding the OP, simply stated that logic and reason are matters of the brain...and that faith, being a matter of the heart, knows not of such things. It is sad that the flaming has already begun there, and I wish it would stop. I would appreciate it, if any of you choose to visit there, to try in a kind and subtle way...discourage such actions. They may be ruled by their minds and not their hearts...but that does not make them any less God's children..and loved entirely! Thank's guys!
Pax Et Bonum
I fully plan on supporting that thread in a positive and friendly way, and would certainly hope, that in accordance with our Lord's command to us, that we love our brethren on the "other side of the fence" and with great compassion and the spirit of amitie....show them every kindness. I made my salutation, and on the heels of a few well meaning remarks regarding the OP, simply stated that logic and reason are matters of the brain...and that faith, being a matter of the heart, knows not of such things. It is sad that the flaming has already begun there, and I wish it would stop. I would appreciate it, if any of you choose to visit there, to try in a kind and subtle way...discourage such actions. They may be ruled by their minds and not their hearts...but that does not make them any less God's children..and loved entirely! Thank's guys!
Pax Et Bonum
Midniteoyl
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Other than calling the obvious BS, I'm staying out. Those threads only serve to create stress and hatred.
True....the only point I see to the thread is to challenge someone to make him right about the stale censorship issue that began in Alt. Och, being a servant to one's own ego is a soul crushing endeavour....this I know from experience.
Good night all! Dominus pacem.
I was over there a few minutes ago and touched on the reasons why such a logical, methodical and questioning person as myself can still have faith.Ok, I have just found that someone has started a thread for Atheists and skeptics. I know I do not have to do this...but I will anyway!
I fully plan on supporting that thread in a positive and friendly way, and would certainly hope, that in accordance with our Lord's command to us, that we love our brethren on the "other side of the fence" and with great compassion and the spirit of amitie....show them every kindness. I made my salutation, and on the heels of a few well meaning remarks regarding the OP, simply stated that logic and reason are matters of the brain...and that faith, being a matter of the heart, knows not of such things. It is sad that the flaming has already begun there, and I wish it would stop. I would appreciate it, if any of you choose to visit there, to try in a kind and subtle way...discourage such actions. They may be ruled by their minds and not their hearts...but that does not make them any less God's children..and loved entirely! Thank's guys!
Pax Et Bonum
It's my hope that others will participate, share ideas and respectfully challenge each others' beliefs.
Untested faith, in my opinion, is weak faith.
Have a wonderful night!
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I like this thread much better.
I have nothing negative to say about that thread, I wish them well but I don't see it going that way.
I will not be a part of what is happening there.
Now, I have more questions for you.
Confession... I don't understand why you do this or why you find it necessary.
I think you are likely to say something like it cleanses the soul or something.
It sounds creepy to me! Sorry (no offense meant) but it does.
I feel my sins are between me and God and nobody else.
I can not see myself ever doing this.
Who is listening to this?
I don't trust people in general so there is no way I would trust any person with my "confessions".
I'm not a horrible person with unspeakable things to confess but I do find this hard to process.
I have nothing negative to say about that thread, I wish them well but I don't see it going that way.
I will not be a part of what is happening there.
Now, I have more questions for you.
Confession... I don't understand why you do this or why you find it necessary.
I think you are likely to say something like it cleanses the soul or something.
It sounds creepy to me! Sorry (no offense meant) but it does.
I feel my sins are between me and God and nobody else.
I can not see myself ever doing this.
Who is listening to this?
I don't trust people in general so there is no way I would trust any person with my "confessions".
I'm not a horrible person with unspeakable things to confess but I do find this hard to process.
Confession (Sacrament of Reconciliation)
This to me is the second most important Sacrament in that it is about justice.
Yes, we can confess our sins directly to God..and I encourage all to do just that! However, not all sins are without a victim, and this is where justice comes into play.
Lets paint a scenario: Ld, you are a very good friend of mine, and I admire you greatly. What if, I were to for some nefarious reason....talk some serious untruths about you....some vile and scathing shit? Well that is the Sin of False Witness is it not? I could just confess that to God...God forgives me...I forgive myself....grab a cup of tea and all is well right? Well.....what justice has been done for you? NONE. You found out about it, and are righteously indignant and not the least bit hurt by it. I walked away Scott (pun intended) free, but you have not had any justice.
Now we know that Jesus loves justice! All throughout the old and new Testaments, we read stories about wrongdoings and Sin, and how God and His Son set things right. People had to pay SOME price for what they have done...but in body, and spirit. The price we must pay in body and spirit are known as "Purgation"...hence the often mis-explained topic of Purgatory, which I will not delve into here.
Now the Priest bit.
We confess before a member of the Holy Orders for various reasons. As explained by the Apostolic Succession, they have inherited God's Grace through an unbroken lineage going all the way back to St Peter...and as such, are TRUSTED with applying God's Laws in a faithful and merciful manner. In this we can be assured that when a confession is heard...that the Lord Himself is hearing...and that when we are absolved through our promises as laid out in the Act Of Contrition, that God hears out promises. IDEALLY, our penance is such that serves justice. Now saying eleventybazillion Hail Mary's, accomplishes NOTHING for those offended! Penance should in the above example, serve to satisfy the sin by my humbling myself before YOU Ld and taking the pill that I deserve. This does not mean that YOU will forgive me...but it does mean that I at least addressed my sin to you...and you can take some satisfaction in that. Most simply will not suffer this humiliation voluntarily....but in the name of Holy Obedience, will. It also helps that we feel that sting of humiliation by confessing to our human peer...it helps with instilling that guilt which makes us want to set matters straight.....and yes....it IS a very cleansing experience LOL. I have heard a great number of Catecheumens when entering the faith tell me that it feels like "A refreshing shower after a hot day of working outside"....myself included! It is only through humbling ourselves before our Creator, and loving our brother through our honesty and willingness to humble ourselves with the hope that they will "Wash our feet" that we fulfill our baptismal promises to God.
Pax Et Bonum
This to me is the second most important Sacrament in that it is about justice.
Yes, we can confess our sins directly to God..and I encourage all to do just that! However, not all sins are without a victim, and this is where justice comes into play.
Lets paint a scenario: Ld, you are a very good friend of mine, and I admire you greatly. What if, I were to for some nefarious reason....talk some serious untruths about you....some vile and scathing shit? Well that is the Sin of False Witness is it not? I could just confess that to God...God forgives me...I forgive myself....grab a cup of tea and all is well right? Well.....what justice has been done for you? NONE. You found out about it, and are righteously indignant and not the least bit hurt by it. I walked away Scott (pun intended) free, but you have not had any justice.
Now we know that Jesus loves justice! All throughout the old and new Testaments, we read stories about wrongdoings and Sin, and how God and His Son set things right. People had to pay SOME price for what they have done...but in body, and spirit. The price we must pay in body and spirit are known as "Purgation"...hence the often mis-explained topic of Purgatory, which I will not delve into here.
Now the Priest bit.
We confess before a member of the Holy Orders for various reasons. As explained by the Apostolic Succession, they have inherited God's Grace through an unbroken lineage going all the way back to St Peter...and as such, are TRUSTED with applying God's Laws in a faithful and merciful manner. In this we can be assured that when a confession is heard...that the Lord Himself is hearing...and that when we are absolved through our promises as laid out in the Act Of Contrition, that God hears out promises. IDEALLY, our penance is such that serves justice. Now saying eleventybazillion Hail Mary's, accomplishes NOTHING for those offended! Penance should in the above example, serve to satisfy the sin by my humbling myself before YOU Ld and taking the pill that I deserve. This does not mean that YOU will forgive me...but it does mean that I at least addressed my sin to you...and you can take some satisfaction in that. Most simply will not suffer this humiliation voluntarily....but in the name of Holy Obedience, will. It also helps that we feel that sting of humiliation by confessing to our human peer...it helps with instilling that guilt which makes us want to set matters straight.....and yes....it IS a very cleansing experience LOL. I have heard a great number of Catecheumens when entering the faith tell me that it feels like "A refreshing shower after a hot day of working outside"....myself included! It is only through humbling ourselves before our Creator, and loving our brother through our honesty and willingness to humble ourselves with the hope that they will "Wash our feet" that we fulfill our baptismal promises to God.
Pax Et Bonum
Midniteoyl
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Good question... I believe in Witnessing to the works of the Lord in your life, but I too have never really understood the act of confessing.I like this thread much better.
I have nothing negative to say about that thread, I wish them well but I don't see it going that way.
I will not be a part of what is happening there.
Now, I have more questions for you.
Confession... I don't understand why you do this or why you find it necessary.
I think you are likely to say something like it cleanses the soul or something.
It sounds creepy to me! Sorry (no offense meant) but it does.
I feel my sins are between me and God and nobody else.
I can not see myself ever doing this.
Who is listening to this?
I don't trust people in general so there is no way I would trust any person with my "confessions".
I'm not a horrible person with unspeakable things to confess but I do find this hard to process.
You explained that clearly but sorry, I still don't get it.
In your example, what different justice do I get if you confess to God or a priest?
The priest has nothing to do with this IMO.
I think we do pay a price even if we don't see it like that when things happen.
Some call it karma but I do believe we pay the price for things we have done.
When bad things happen to me, I often think I must deserve it for something I have done.
Ok, the above was typed before I read your "Priest bit".
I respect your belief but I don't agree.
I know I have trust issues but I can't see this as you do.
If your example was reversed, I would be humble and make apologies to you.
True you may or may not accept that and the rest is between me and God.
I feel I will get my justice from God and no church or Priest has any part of that.
I appreciate your explanation, it is nice to see others reasoning.
In your example, what different justice do I get if you confess to God or a priest?
The priest has nothing to do with this IMO.
I think we do pay a price even if we don't see it like that when things happen.
Some call it karma but I do believe we pay the price for things we have done.
When bad things happen to me, I often think I must deserve it for something I have done.
Ok, the above was typed before I read your "Priest bit".
I respect your belief but I don't agree.
I know I have trust issues but I can't see this as you do.
If your example was reversed, I would be humble and make apologies to you.
True you may or may not accept that and the rest is between me and God.
I feel I will get my justice from God and no church or Priest has any part of that.
I appreciate your explanation, it is nice to see others reasoning.
Midniteoyl
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Well, I believe that if you are truly sorry and have truly confessed to God and accepted his Grace, you will eventually be propelled to atone for your transgression, usually by humbling yourself before the person you have wronged. Humbling myself before a third party and having that third party dish out my penitence just doesn't seem the same to me.. Its kinda like deferring your atonement until later.
Good morning!
How is my foggy friar today?
Hey guys!
I MUST get somethings done today even though I don't feel like it.
I got absolutely nothing accomplished yesterday but I so needed that day of nothing.
I'd really like to have a couple of more but that is not going to happen.
Have a great day!
I MUST get somethings done today even though I don't feel like it.
I got absolutely nothing accomplished yesterday but I so needed that day of nothing.
I'd really like to have a couple of more but that is not going to happen.
Have a great day!
Before I get busy...
I just want to say I LOVE that I can disagree with you and it doesn't cause problems.
Who really knows who is right/wrong and it is not the point.
I am also glad that my posts do not cause any said problems.
Thanks again for this thread.... it really does help! (me)
I just want to say I LOVE that I can disagree with you and it doesn't cause problems.
Who really knows who is right/wrong and it is not the point.
I am also glad that my posts do not cause any said problems.
Thanks again for this thread.... it really does help! (me)
Doin my best good sir
That's all we can do!
I am kind and optimistic, that makes me vulnerable.
I am not perfect, I am broken and have fears, that makes me human.
I know love, and will love in the face of danger and my enemies....that makes me a Child of God. - Scott
I am not perfect, I am broken and have fears, that makes me human.
I know love, and will love in the face of danger and my enemies....that makes me a Child of God. - Scott
I'm on the mend
On hearing the word
Jesus began to teach by the lakeside, but such a huge crowd gathered round him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there. The people were all along the shore, at the water’s edge. He taught them many things in parables, and in the course of his teaching he said to them, ‘Listen!, Imagine a sower going out to sow. Now it happened that, as he sowed, some of the seed fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground where it found little soil and sprang up straightaway, because there was no depth of earth; and when the sun came up it was scorched and, not having any roots, it withered away. Some seed fell into thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop. And some seeds fell into rich soil and, growing tall and strong, produced crop; and yielded thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’
When he was alone, the Twelve, together with the others who formed his company, asked what the parables meant. He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parables, so that they may see and see again, but not perceive; may hear and hear again, but not understand; otherwise they might be converted and be forgiven.’
He said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? What the sower is sowing is the word. Those on the edge of the path where the word is sown are people who have no sooner heard it than Satan comes and carries away the word that was sown in them. Similarly, those who receive the seed on patches of rock are people who, when first they hear the word, welcome it at once with joy. But they have no root in them, they do not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, they fall away at once. Then there are others who receive the seed in thorns. These have heard the word, but the worries of this world, the lure of riches and all the other passions come in to choke the word, and so it produces nothing. And there are those who have received the seed in rich soil: they hear the word and accept it and yield a harvest, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’
Mark 4:1-20
Jesus began to teach by the lakeside, but such a huge crowd gathered round him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there. The people were all along the shore, at the water’s edge. He taught them many things in parables, and in the course of his teaching he said to them, ‘Listen!, Imagine a sower going out to sow. Now it happened that, as he sowed, some of the seed fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground where it found little soil and sprang up straightaway, because there was no depth of earth; and when the sun came up it was scorched and, not having any roots, it withered away. Some seed fell into thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop. And some seeds fell into rich soil and, growing tall and strong, produced crop; and yielded thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’
When he was alone, the Twelve, together with the others who formed his company, asked what the parables meant. He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parables, so that they may see and see again, but not perceive; may hear and hear again, but not understand; otherwise they might be converted and be forgiven.’
He said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? What the sower is sowing is the word. Those on the edge of the path where the word is sown are people who have no sooner heard it than Satan comes and carries away the word that was sown in them. Similarly, those who receive the seed on patches of rock are people who, when first they hear the word, welcome it at once with joy. But they have no root in them, they do not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, they fall away at once. Then there are others who receive the seed in thorns. These have heard the word, but the worries of this world, the lure of riches and all the other passions come in to choke the word, and so it produces nothing. And there are those who have received the seed in rich soil: they hear the word and accept it and yield a harvest, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’
Mark 4:1-20