I came across the Motivation Code test when I was contemplating on purpose and its related questions— What am I good at? What do I enjoy? What makes me feel fulfilled? According to this framework, we are naturally and uniquely driven by certain motivational themes. They are found in achievement stories across our lifespan. They are in the experiences where we did well, enjoyed ourselves, and felt deeply satisfied. 

Our motivations endure and emerge when we are young. It remains constant throughout life. It’s part of our DNA. Prayer and discernment helped me see a bit more clearly God’s plan for my life. Seeing my motivational themes validated it. He sets us apart for something, and the clues are all over our stories of joy and deep fulfillment. 

Our quest to find purpose is our quest to catch a glimpse of God’s intention when He made us. Our purpose is constant but can look different as the seasons in our lives change. If you’re not seeing it now, try looking in your stories. Kitty Dulay-Ferreria (kittydulay@yahoo.com) 

Reflect:

What’s one experience where you did well, enjoyed, and felt deeply satisfied? 

Help me discover what naturally drives me, Lord. Please send Your grace so I can respond to the desires You have put in my heart. 

St. Kinga of Poland, pray for us.

God never was, never is, and never will be far from us. He is always present with us. But are we always present with Him? Are we aware that He is among us and do we come before His presence? It does not matter what’s happening to us—God wants to be part of it. He wants to draw us to Himself in everything that we do. 

¹ The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, of a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin. ⁴ The word of the Lord came to me thus: ⁵ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. ⁶ “Ah, Lord God!” I said, “I know not how to speak; I am too young.” ⁷ But the Lord answered me, say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. ⁸ Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. ⁹ Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, See, I place my words in your mouth! ¹⁰ This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant. 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17

R: I will sing of your salvation. 

¹ In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. ² In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me. (R) ³ Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. (R) ⁵ For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. 6 On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. (R) ¹⁵ My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation. ¹⁷ O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. (R) 

Gospel | Matthew 13:1-9

We need to provide good soil for the Word of God to take root and grow in us. There is no point in welcoming His Word into our hearts if we are not going to cultivate it properly. What use is His Word if it withers and dies at the first sign of a faith struggle? To become disciples of Jesus means to become men and women of His Word. 

Gospel Acclamation

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever. 

¹ On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down,and the whole crowd stood along the shore. ³ And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. ⁴ And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, 6 and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. ⁷ Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. ⁸ But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. ⁹ Whoever has ears ought to hear.” 

Read the Bible in one year! Read PSALMS 86 - 90 today.

What is our understanding of God’s provision? Do we believe that He will just give us all that we need, regardless of what we do? Or do we believe that we need to do what we can and then pray and trust that the Lord will make up for what is lacking? 

The former idea is reflected in the story of the Israelites as they travel from Egypt to the Promised Land. However, we must remember the context—they are walking through a desert and they have no hope of finding sufficient food for themselves. Naturally, if they are not to starve, God has to do something to provide for His people. After all, He was the one who led them into the desert through Moses. 

The Gospel reading today presents a different scenario. We find a range of results for seeds that have been scattered. This is a more common understanding of God’s provision. Our contribution is part of the story as well as the place where the seed falls. We should not simply expect God to provide what we need without our participation. Even sowing the seed is not sufficient—we need to ensure that we sow seed in good and fertile soil and not just wherever it may happen to fall. 

We ought to do our best to provide for our needs, and if our own provision is lacking, it is time to turn to the Lord. We need to care for the provisions that God gives us and not waste them through lack of care and lack of good stewardship. A seed can bear much fruit as long as we ensure that we give it the right conditions where it can grow and mature. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL 

Reflection Question:

Are you a good steward of the gifts that God has given you? Do you care for and develop them so they benefit not just your life but also that of the whole Church? 

Jesus, help me to become a better steward of Your gifts. Help me to use them for the work of evangelization and of building Your Kingdom on earth. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _______________________________________