Third Friday of Ordinary Time

This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.

God provides each of us the graces we need to grow in our faith and one day we will all be harvested and the fruit of our lives will be weighed out. Some of us will bear much fruit and some will have very little to show for their lives. As we go throughout our days, we should constantly be on the watch for opportunities to nourish our faith and grow as followers of Christ. These chances to do God’s work will come in various ways and in different places and times. Some will require small sacrifices of our time, talents, and treasures. Others will ask us to risk or change our lives for the good of others. Whatever God is calling us to do, we must prepare ourselves and be ready to go where God is leading us and do what He wants us to do. This fidelity to our Heavenly Father is the only way for us to flourish as Christians and yield good fruit.

What are we doing to grow in our faith? What opportunities for spiritual growth are present in our lives? What are we willing to sacrifice in order to bear good fruit?

O Lord, give us the graces to grow and yield good fruit throughout our lives.

Amen.