June 12, 2021
Click here to view this week's Mass. The video for the 4 PM vigil Mass will be available by about 7 PM on Saturday.
Springtime offers opportunities that we do not have during the rest of the year. For example, during the spring you can plant seeds in the ground. The seeds, in just a few days, push through the ground, reach towards the sky for the sunlight, and drink up the rainwater. Before you know it, they are large plants with green beans hanging from their branches. No need to go to the store, just go out in the garden and pick them. Free food! I am always amazed at how little you must do in a vegetable garden to get so much food.
In our Gospel this weekend Jesus talks to his followers about how when they plant seeds, even though they do not know how, the plants will get bigger and produce food. He is letting them know that if they plant the seeds of kindness, for example, even though they do not know how, that kindness will grow and produce a great harvest. The small bit of goodness that they plant in others by being kind, in ways they do not know, will cause those people to become more kind.
We have all seen it happen. Simple acts of kindness inspiring others to do the same. From the little child giving away their school lunch to the person who starts up a new charity that serves thousands of people. The whole concept of "pay it forward" involves doing something good for someone you don't even know and not expecting anything in return. Today we see random acts of kindness happening all around us!
I suppose the message Jesus is getting across to us is that we may be surprised at how little we must do to make a big difference. The seeds of goodness we plant become so much more. That the Kingdom of Heaven which Jesus began here on earth, will grow in ways we do not even know. And that kind of planting we can do any time of the year!
God's Peace,
Deacon Dave