Episode 432 - The Word of God discerns reflections from the heart

<p><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/judges/9?6"><br> Jgs 9:6-15</a></p> <p>All the citizens of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together<br> and proceeded to make Abimelech king<br> by the terebinth at the memorial pillar in Shechem.</p> <p>When this was reported to him,<br> Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim and, standing there,<br> cried out to them in a loud voice:<br> “Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you!<br> Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves.<br> So they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’<br> But the olive tree answered them, ‘Must I give up my rich oil,<br> whereby men and gods are honored,<br> and go to wave over the trees?’<br> Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come; you reign over us!’<br> But the fig tree answered them,<br> ‘Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit,<br> and go to wave over the trees?’<br> Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come you, and reign over us.’<br> But the vine answered them,<br> ‘Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men,<br> and go to wave over the trees?’<br> Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, ‘Come; you reign over us!’<br> But the buckthorn replied to the trees,<br> ‘If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith,<br> come and take refuge in my shadow.<br> Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn<br> and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’”<a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/21?2"><br> Psalm 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7</a></p> <p>R.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;(2a) <strong>Lord, in your strength the king is glad.</strong><br> O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;<br> in your victory how greatly he rejoices!<br> You have granted him his heart’s desire;<br> you refused not the wish of his lips.<br> R.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>Lord, in your strength the king is glad.</strong><br> For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,<br> you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.<br> He asked life of you: you gave him&nbsp;<br> length of days forever and ever.<br> R.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>Lord, in your stren