Gospel: Luke 17:5-10. Find it in your own Bible or click here for Mass Readings for this Sunday.  Reflection written by Sarah Kelly, a young adult.

Dear Friends.

Have you ever found yourself in this situation, you make plans, perhaps to meet up with a friend, or you have decided to spend some time alone, to pray and reflect. Then out of no where, everything is changed by some unforeseen circumstance, and the plans you had previously made seem to fall around you like a house of cards. We’ve all been there. Something you had set your heart on for weeks, months, even years begins to take shape when out of the blue, that proverbial ‘spanner’ gets thrown in the works. This can result in us feeling sad, upset, angry, unwanted, foolish and quite often alone. When a plan doesn’t work out we always assume that this is the worse case scenario. But have you ever heard the saying ‘everything happens for a reason’. Yes? I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, however, I believe everything happens for God’s reasons.

Did you know that many of the saints whom we revere had plans of their own? For example, St. Paul was happy condemning the early church as a Pharisee until he encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus. But, also many of the saints planned to

Therese Martin from Lisieux,- St. Therese, or 'The Little Flower', one great woman.

remain silent and unnoticed, but God had other plans that would involve something quite spectacular. For example, I have mentioned the Little Flower on a few occasions, her main desire was to be hidden and she is one the most loved and known young saints. Another saint, Gemma Galgani wanted to be a nun, though due to poor health she never got the chance, yet she is known as the Gem of Christ. Another young woman, Julia Crostarosa, responding to God’s Call within her set off and entered a Carmelite convent; little did she know that, inspired by words and inspirations granted to her from God, she would later found an Order known as the Redemptoristines. So the saying ‘we make plans, God laughs’, certainly rings true. None of the above ever planned such outcomes, they were merely doing God’s will. Even that young woman Mary from Nazareth, did she plan on becoming the Mother of Jesus?

In today’s Gospel, the apostles plan is to request that Jesus increase their faith. Jesus responds by saying “if you have faith even the size of a mustard seed, you may say to this tree: ‘Be uprooted and plant yourself in the sea,’ and it will obey you”. We need to be like

'In the hand of God'

this tree, to be ready and willing to be uprooted and to allow God to plant us where ever he desires. As we read on a little bit, it says “we are no more than servants we have only done our duty”. So, like the stories of the saints, and even normal people in our world, when we allow God to work through us, despite what plans are altered, God always knows what He’s up to. We just need faith.

So, dear friends,                                                                                                                            Pray for your faith to be increased and trust in God.

God bless,

Sarah.

For ‘Soul Food for Hungry Adult Communities’, for this Sunday, click here.

Letter to Sinead, Mark and Friends,- gatherings of 2 or more young adults in search of faith. (Today’s Letter is written by Sarah Kelly, a young adult in her twenties. Thanks Sarah!)

Today’s Gospel is from Luke 10:1-12, 17-20. Find it in your own Bible, or click here for Mass Readings for this Sunday.

Dear Sinead, Mark, and Friends,

Recently, a very good friend of mine sent me a card with a beautiful message on the outside, it read “friendship isn’t a big thing – it’s a million little things”. Wow, I really feel that this is the message which our friend Jesus is communicating to us today! He tells us that we are his messengers, that we have been created by His Father, “the Lord of the harvest”, who has given to us a mission, which in the words of Blessed Cardinal Newman, “he has not entrusted to another”. That is how special you are to God, -that he so knows you, and that your mission is not like anyone else’s. Such a message of faith, hope and love from the one who created you: He so knows you, that He knows every ‘hair on your head’; that he has given you a mission that suits your personality. All that is required of us is that we trust completely and wholeheartedly in his love for us. In the Gospel, Jesus highlights this very fact when he says: “carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals”. Clearly, the Lord of the harvest will provide for his labourers. He is basically saying, ‘carry nothing, and I will carry you’. If only we could trust so fully in God who has so much confidence in us, and whose love overflows for us.

Dear Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that the “Kingdom of God is very near”. And yes it is, but like the card my friend sent me, it’s not in one big thing, but rather in ‘a million little things’. The Kingdom of Heaven is within you, and everything you do. Part of our mission is to bring the Kingdom of God about on earth, in whatever little ways we can. The Little Flower herself, St. Thérèse of Lisieux eloquently affirms that “Little things done out of love are those that charm the Heart of Christ”. So, no matter how small or powerless you may feel, you are doing God’s service. Every little action has the potential to radiate God’s grandeur and so bring the reign of His Kingdom. Finally, today’s Gospel concludes with this stirring message of hope, “nothing shall ever hurt you”.

So dear friends, no matter what you do today, do it with a heart full of love for the little things, and that in all the little things that you do, do it with love. Jesus has told you, he loves you, and nothing will hurt you. Trust in Him, and you will be making His Kingdom known.

Have a lovely day and week,

God bless,

Sarah

xxx

Your Comments to Sarah are welcome!