Replies

January 26, 2018

The parable of the growing seed is one of the many parables Jesus tells us about the Kingdom of God. A man scatters seed on the ground and, without having to do anything, the seed sprouts and grows. According to the parable the Kingdom of God is such: one need not do anything, yet, like the seed, it will grow and flourish.

There are many things we do not really understand in our lives. There are times we work so hard and yet gain so little; or times when we hardly do anything but experience great success; or sickness and sorrow, and death.

The Lord is powerful and his ways mysterious. In moments we do not understand, we are left to trust and have faith that he remains in control.

God is a God of surprises and in all his surprises only one thing remains true: that his purpose is that we feel his love and concern for each one of us. We need God and not the other way around.

The creation story tells us that God’s creation is self-sufficient. In the Sermon on the Mount we are reminded that the birds of the air and the flowers of the field are well cared for. And “are you not worth much more than birds?” (Mt 6:26) “Set your heart first on the kingdom of God and all these things will also be given to you. Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Mt 6: 33- 34)

The Gospel reading tells us to trust that God has beautiful plans for each one of us. Are we patient enough to wait for it to unfold?

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 34, Issue 1

<< Friday, January 26, 2018 >>

Sts. Timothy & Titus

2 Timothy 1:1-8 or
Titus 1:1-5
View Readings

Psalm 96:1-3, 7-8, 10

Mark 4:26-34
Similar Reflections

ONE FOR THE MONEY

"May grace and peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Savior, be with you." �Titus 1:5

Many Catholics first get involved with the Church through money � such as helping with various fundraisers. Some Catholics serve as ushers, taking up the collection baskets at Mass. Others count or deposit the collection. Still others serve the Church as accountants, business managers, or on parish finance councils. St. Titus is a good patron saint for these faithful people.

One of the primary ministries of St. Titus was to accompany St. Paul on a relief mission. As a response to the prophecy of Agabus about a worldwide famine (Acts 11:28), St. Paul set off throughout Asia Minor and Greece to take up a collection for the suffering people of the Holy Land, much like every Pope does today. Titus served as essentially a "captain" of Paul's fundraising team. He concentrated especially on the collections in Greece and Macedonia (2 Cor 8:16-23).

The Church needs trustworthy men and women who raise funds, but even more, who also raise faith. Praise God for these blessed servants! St. Titus also combined fundraising with faith-raising. He was trustworthy and remained attracted to God rather than money (Mt 6:24). Yet Titus understood that working with money was an important part of the ministry God gave him. Rather than shrink back from this responsibility, Titus stepped forward with zeal, faith, and charity (2 Cor 8:16ff). Titus, unlike Judas Iscariot, was trustworthy in using money for God's Kingdom and not for selfish gain. Be a Titus.

Prayer: Father, I place all the money You have given me into Your hands.

Promise: "May grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." —2 Tm 1:2

Praise: "Thanks be to God, Who has put an equal zeal for you in the heart of Titus!" (2 Cor 8:16)