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Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step, by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories, by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the
accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph, no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment.
- Amy Carmichael
(The work of the moment: to do what must be done, in love, and to leave the consequences and repercussions to God's providential care.)
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Jer 1:1, 4-10; Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15 and 17
Mt 13:1-9
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
“A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“My mouth shall declare Your justice, day by day Your salvation.” —Psalm 71:15
The Lord has promised to place His words in your mouth, as He did for Jeremiah (Jer 1:9; see also Mt 10:20). From that day, He will “set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant” (Jer 1:10). With God’s Word in your mouth, you will be a world force. In fact, the Lord will not only occasionally place a word in your mouth; He will fill it (see Ps
81:11) with His words of spirit and life (Jn 6:63). You will be like Samuel in that God will not permit any word of yours to be without effect (1 Sm 3:19; see also Is 55:11).
The Lord will make your mouth a powerful, glorious instrument of His righteousness (Rm 6:13), if you repent. You must cry out as Isaiah did: “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips” (Is 6:5). The Lord will send an angel to touch your mouth with a burning ember (Is 6:6), and then He will say: “Now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged” (Is 6:7). The Lord has
promised you: “If you repent, so that I restore you, in My presence you shall stand; if you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be My mouthpiece” (Jer 15:19). You can be the mouthpiece of God.
Prayer: Father, use every part of my body for Your glory. Control every part of my body through my purified mouth (see Jas 3:2-3).
Promise: “Part of it, finally, landed on good soil and yielded grain a hundred- or sixty- or thirtyfold. Let everyone heed what he hears!” —Mt 13:8-9
Presentation Ministries
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Poems from the Little Flower of Jesus: Saint Therese of Lisieux
- by Athanasius Press, 2018
Part One: To Live of Love
"If any man love Me, he will keep My word and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. . . My peace I give unto you . . . Abide in My love."
(St. John 14:23, 27, -- 15:9)
10.
To live of love, O Master dearest, best!
It is to beg Thee light Thy holiest fires
Within the soul of each anointed priest,
Till he shall feel the Seraphim's desires;
It is to beg Thee guard Thy Church, O Christ!
For this I plead with Thee by night, by day;
And give myself, in sacrifice unpriced,
With love always!
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