Once upon a time there was unfortunate young boy (or maybe he was very fortunate) who got swept into an adventure with some other children he despised. Thorny, he was unpleasant to be around; stony on the inside, and dry and hardened on the outside, he had little good to say about anyone. People didn’t enjoy him, but he really didn’t enjoy others. His list of complaints about life and what was due him were loudly proclaimed to anyone who’d listen, which became fewer and fewer as their adventure continued. One day he left the safety of the group in a temper. Wandering into a cave of treasure, greed filled him, and he put on an arm band of gold. And then the boy, Eustace was his name, woke up a dragon, covered in scales, and breathing fire…
Listen for how his story turned out and how it helps us understand our scripture passages:
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65: (1-8), 9-14
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23