“But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” – Mark 4:32

Pay It Forwardis a movie based on a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde about Trevor, who tried to help three people in the hope that these people will help three others to make a difference in the world. At the end of the story, it showed how the good deeds of a few spread throughout the country.

       Significant change doesn’t start only from someone who is a president of a country or a famous celebrity. Like the mustard seed in today’s reading, no matter how small the acts that we make in the name of God, we should not take it for granted. Although it may seem insignificant to commend a colleague for a job well done, it may inspire that person to do better even in other aspects of her life. And that will affect the lives of the people around her, too.

       Let’s start the positive change within ourselves and with how we view things in our immediate surroundings. We can make our world an even better place. Mae Ignacio (maemi04@aim.com)

Reflection: Always remember that even the simplest good deed that you do can go a long way.

Lord, remind us that there is no such thing as an insignificant act when we do things in Your name.

St. John Bosco, priest, pray for us.

David is not perfect. He, too, is a flawed man. He lusts after Bathsheba and is led into serious sin that culminates in the death of Bathsheba’s husband. When he realizes his sin, he is incredibly sorry and tradition tells us that Psalm 51 is a result. Read the psalm and see what it means to have a repentant heart. It is good to reflect on the nature of true repentance as we all have reason to repent, and should do so every day.

1 At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign, David sent out Joab along with his officers and the army of Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. 3 David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, “She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of Joab’s armorbearer, Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her. She then returned to her house. 5But the woman had conceived, and sent the information to David, “I am with child.” 6 David therefore sent a message to Joab, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent Uriah to David. 7When he came, David questioned him about Joab, the soldiers, and how the war was going, and Uriah answered that all was well. 8 David then said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and bathe your feet.” Uriah left the palace, and a portion was sent out after him from the king’s table. 9 But Uriah slept at the entrance of the royal palace with the other officers of his lord, and did not go down to his own house. 10 David was told that Uriah had not gone home. On the day following, 13David summoned him, and he ate and drank with David, who made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his bed among his lord’s servants, and did not go down to his home. 14 The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab which he sent by Uriah. 15 In it he directed: “Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead.” 16 So while Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the defenders were strong. 17 When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab, some officers of David’s army fell, and among them Uriah the Hittite died.

1 [3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 2 [4] Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 3 [5] For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always. 4 [6] “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” (R) I have done such evil in your sight that you are just in your sentence, blameless when you condemn. 5 [7] True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me. (R) 8 [10] Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; the bones you have crushed shall rejoice. 9 [11] Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my guilt. (R)

God is the one who brings increase and growth to His Kingdom. It is up to us to be obedient to His will but there is very little, if anything, that we can achieve on our own strength. God needs us to be His “hands and feet,” so to speak, but the most important aspect is the will of God. Obedience to the grace of God is an essential aspect of discipleship and, thus, a prime focus for our faith.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

26 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” 30 He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Acts 13-16

A BRIEF LOOK AT ST. JOHN BOSCO

Today, the Church honors St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesians whose good work we also appreciate very much in our country. His childhood was far from pleasant. John’s father died when he was only two years old. It was not easy for his mother to bring him up alone and give him an education that would guarantee a successful future. But she was a pious woman and gave him a good Christian education. Her beatification process has already started. What mothers can do even in times of poverty!

       John was ordained a priest at the age of 31. Having experienced an extremely difficult youth, he focused on the education of young men. As a skilled educator, Don Bosco formulated a system of education which could also be very helpful for our younger generation today. His motto was “Reason, Religion, Kindness.” He summarized his program for the youth with a brief sentence: “The young should know that they are loved.” Don Bosco once told his boys: “Remember, whatever I am, I am all for you, day and night, morning and evening, at every moment.” He advised educators to love the young as they would love their own sons. It goes without saying that this also applies to parents as educators.

       Twenty years after his ordination, about 800 students benefited from John Bosco’s educational system. One of his students even became a saint, St. Dominic Savio. To be sure that his work would continue after his death, John Bosco founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales. He sent out missionaries, especially to Latin America. When he realized the importance of printing materials, he founded a printing press and published pamphlets, magazines and books to spread the Good News.

       If more parents would follow the example of St. John Bosco and realize their great mission to prepare their children for the future and for heaven, we wouldn’t have to worry about the future of our nation and of the Church. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

REFLECTION QUESTION: What can you do to spread the ideas of Don Bosco among your relatives and friends?

Lord, I pray for our educators, especially for all parents. May they realize their great responsibility and privilege to form their children for a better future. May they do it with love and kindness.