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September 23, 2023

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 00:09:25 GMT

The parable of the sowing of the seed appears in all three of the synoptic Gospels. In Luke’s Gospel, the disciples ask Jesus what it means. Jesus tells them that the hearer of the word must be open and receptive to God’s call. More importantly, they must act upon what they have heard.

I can listen to you and process what you are calling me to all day long. Sadly, I get and stay stuck in that listening mode because of fear, ignorance, or sometimes just not wanting to do what you ask because it is hard. That’s when I need you the most.

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A Christian’s mission

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 00:07:58 GMT

“A Christian’s mission in the world is splendid, it is a mission intended for everyone, it is a mission of service, excluding no one; it requires a great deal of generosity and above all setting one’s gaze and heart facing on High, to invoke the Lord’s help.”– Pope Francis

Reflection: How do you participate in the mission of service in the world? Where do you need the Lord’s help to serve others with a spirit of generosity rather than simple obligation?

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Thriving in the daily dash

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:14:13 GMT

Lk 8:4-15

St. Thérèse of Lisieux exemplifies an approach to life that focuses not on crossing things off a list, but on being fully present in each moment and making everything we do into a gift of love

We can begin to emulate her — and find some respite from the complexity in our lives — by realizing, as she did, that we can accomplish only so much on our own. When we try to do everything ourselves, we become enmeshed in an ever-increasing workload. But when we allow God to give us guidance, and when we rely on his strength and wisdom, we can see our priorities more clearly and do what really needs to be done each day.

“Little Flower” Thérèse’s priorities weren’t exactly the same as ours, since she was a cloistered nun and we live in families. Since her “little way” was rooted in a simple, although not simplistic, life, we can adapt it to our own circumstances:

Learn to love your limitations
Little things mean a lot
Put people first
Remember that we are on God’s time

St. Thérèse knew that there never will be enough time or energy to do everything. But she also knew that when we place our days into God’s hands, we will have the resources we need to do everything we are supposed to be do. Using her “little way” as our guide, we can coax the raging lion of complications into becoming a purring house cat of simplicity.

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Simply stated: Each mind, each heart

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:10:57 GMT

Lk 8:4-15

“The Gospel speaks across time and space to each human being, each mind, each heart. It asks us what we think about our lives, how we hope, whom we love, and what we live for. If faith is not transforming each heart and life, it is dead.”

(From “Go and Make Disciples,” by the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis)

This article comes to you from Grace In Action ( Our Sunday Visitor ) courtesy of your parish or diocese.