Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Michelangelo said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and the task of the sculpture is to discover it. David was always there in the marble, I just took away everything that was not David.”
As a chaplain, I meet all kinds of people, no two situations are the same. There is however a similarity that always true. Everyone I meet is a child of God. This is true whether people know it or not. I understand my ministry is to bring the presence of God to every encounter. I also have realized that my role is to help others recognize God presence within themselves.
While the fruit of all ministry comes from God, it does not mean we don’t have a role to play. Certainly, God sows his seed within everyone, and it is God that causes the growth in each person, however we too are laborers working for the harvest. Within our lives the Word that is the seed is sown. What strikes me about this parable is that it matters what is on the inside. Is our heart rocky ground, filled with thorny weeds, or is it fertile soil? Part of our role as disciples is to recognize the condition of our hearts, and work towards its transformation. We also have a responsibility, to serve God by continuing to sow God’s word in the world. We are not called to pre-judge the soil in which we scatter the seed. We are to scatter and sow generously. In sharing God’s word gently, passionately and faithfully our witness may in fact help transform the rock or weeds found in the hearts of those around us.
St. Francis de Sales, whose feast we celebrate today, gives us one model. “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.” St. Francis spent much of his life working to draw other people into the Catholic faith. This axiom from Francis was how he lived. By is gentle and kind nature, by his preaching and living the Gospel, he encouraged others to become devout believers. We too can do the same.
Lord, give us eyes that recognize that it is what is on the inside that is truly important. Help us to cultivate the soil both within ourselves and others so that we truly discover the child of God that you have called us all to be. Amen!
- Deacon Michael Montgomery