Thus says the Lord: ‘As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.’

Some seed fell into rich soil and produced its crop.

You care for the earth, give it water,
  you fill it with riches.
Your river in heaven brims over
  to provide its grain.

Some seed fell into rich soil and produced its crop.

And thus you provide for the earth;
  you drench its furrows;
you level it, soften it with showers;
  you bless its growth.

Some seed fell into rich soil and produced its crop.

You crown the year with your goodness.
  Abundance flows in your steps,
  in the pastures of the wilderness it flows.

Some seed fell into rich soil and produced its crop.

The hills are girded with joy,
  the meadows covered with flocks,
the valleys are decked with wheat.
  They shout for joy, yes, they sing.

Some seed fell into rich soil and produced its crop.

I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us. The whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his sons. It was not for any fault on the part of creation that it was made unable to attain its purpose, it was made so by God; but creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God. From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free.

Alleluia, alleluia!
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening:
you have the message of eternal life.
Alleluia!