Planting a Seed (8/16/2023)

Last evening, I lectured at the mass for the holy day of obligation, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After mass, as I was walking out, I spotted a toddler who was waving at me. At first, I assumed it was because I was wearing a hat and looked like an old Mary Poppins, but then I noticed that she was holding a book. As I reached the pew where she was sitting with her father, she showed me the book. I commented on what a wonderful book it was, and then I said to her, “Someday, perhaps you will stand at the front of church and read to all the people like I did tonight.” And she smiled a smile so big it lifted every fiber of my heart and soul.

The child remained on my mind all evening, her joy, her beauty, her innocence. She reminded me of the person I longed to be, a daughter of our living LORD full of joy and without guile. I thought of my words to her. I believe the LORD guided me to share those words with her, to invite her to consider how she might use what she has been given in service to the LORD and others. I prayed that she could remain this beautiful child of the LORD as she continues her journey as a disciple of Christ in the modern world.

It's a small thing, but I do believe that we are to invite others to participate more fully in the community of the faithful, to bring their gifts and talents, their time, their joy, and their love to bear upon the ongoing mission of Christ here on earth. We all have gifts to share; sometimes it takes the vision and invitation of another for us to recognize what we have that we can and should share.

As we continue our journeys of faith, buoyed by hope in the LORD’s promise, and fueled by love, let us be people who seek to use the gift of life and time and talent for service to the LORD and one another. Let us also seek to awaken in others through invitation and the power of the Spirit the desire to serve the all-loving LORD and our sisters and brothers.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.