The Lord speaks in the Old Testament through the mouths of His prophets. What they say is not only a condemnation of wicked backsliding but also teaching and explanation as in today's first reading. This image has been in men's minds for more than 2000 years. Today the  parable of the the cedar tree is  displayed on the flag of Lebanon. 

St Paul urges us to remember that it is better to live  the life that comes from God than to be concerned only with our life in this world. Still living,  we  put our spiritual life first and when exiled from the body we can be received into the realm of the Lord; into the tree planted by God. What we do in our living bodies will determine how we are received in death. 

Jesus' parable of the mustard seed is still with us and we have difficulty with this bodily image. The image of the  "mustard tree" does not appear on the flags of any of the world's nations but inspires  all the Christians of the world. The Church of Christ needs to be not grand and glorious, ready for felling, as the cedars of Lebanon but tiny, insignificant yet full of the Living Lord  tending with great love all his people of this physical universe.

Dear Lord my prayer is to keep this bodily life of mine free form sin and let my goal be to live Your Life here on earth  Let me be without attachment to the world but let my prayers bring your Love to the hearts of all peoples.