Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
In this harvest season, we experience the fruitfulness of abundant vegetables in our markets, squirrels gathering fallen acorns and pumpkins decorating our homes and flavoring beverages and desserts. A giant oak tree, pumpkin patch vines, and sunflower plants—each originated from just one seed. God’s creation in nature, gives us abundant examples of the vibrancy of God’s Kingdom—it is living and active and grows.
Sometimes we get discouraged when beginning a new project or program. We ask, we are so few in number, how can we do it? Individually, we often feel we don’t have the time, talents or resources to respond to God’s invitation. Yet our Christian story began with one girl’s Yes—Mary at the Annunciation, a family of 3—Joseph joining Mary to nurture Jesus’ life, and 12 apostles (of ordinary people) joining Jesus in His mission. And look what happened! Our Gospel story encourages us to trust in the power of the growth that is the Spirit at work with us in growing the Kingdom of God. Our role is to nurture—provide good soil, light and ensure watering and the Spirit gives the increase. We don’t have to do it all. By lovingly giving of ourselves, God provides the yeast to our raw ingredients and transforms our efforts like delicious bread. The Spirit of Life in Creation is designed to grow and we are called to be part of it.
We are invited to give ourselves to the work of God’s kingdom, just as we are. Squirrels are not perfect in gathering and hiding their nuts for the winter season. They don’t remember all the places they put them—and so are successful tree planters when they scatter their caches. Forests are able to be regenerated because of this ‘imperfection’ of their forgetfulness. May today’s readings encourage us all to do our part and trust God to do the rest as we cultivate God’s Kingdom on earth where we are. We can then celebrate the ‘fruitful vines’ and lush hope-filled ‘gardens’ in our communities, our Family of parishes and cities.
—Sr. Leanne Jablonski, FMI