GOD’S WORD

3rd week in ordinary time Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40 / 1st Reading: Heb 10:32-39 / Gospel: Mk 4:26-34 Reflection:

“Big things from small beginnings” St. Paul and his co-workers, St. Timothy and St. Titus, worked hard in the vineyard of the Lord. St. Paul tells us in his letters the many hardships he had to endure in his missionary journeys. The author of the letter to the Hebrews counsels us to be patient and not to give us when we have to endure trials and difficulties in the apostolate.

We are like the man in the Gospel who scatters the seed upon the soil but it is the Lord who makes our labors bear fruit! The fruits of our labors are sometimes not immediately seen. At times we may not even see the fruits of our labors. We have to patiently wait. In fact many “big things in the Church” have rather “small beginnings!” Our small contributions in building our communities are investments that over time can grow and appreciate. Just like the mustard seed that, though the smallest of seeds, becomes at the end such a big tree.

St. Angela Merici, our Saint of the day, did her own little share in building the kingdom of God. She was a pioneer in the apostolate for women. The group that she organized, now known as the Ursuline sisters, gave women the opportunity for education that in the 16th century was unheard of. From a small beginning of about 12 volunteers they now number more than 20,000 worldwide!