4 September, Wednesday — Only God Matters

Wednesday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time

1 Cor 3:1-9
Lk 4:38-44

Neither the planter nor the waterer matters: only God, who makes things grow.

Whatever we do, only God matters.

In this context of the planter and waterer, I’m thinking of the evangelisation work that I do in the RCIA ministry. We are first the seed scatterer or sower, as we offer people the opportunity to come and learn more about God. Throughout the journey, we try to water the seeds by nourishing through sharing of our faith stories with the inquirers. Ultimately, we must remember that we are not the growers. It is God and the Holy Spirit who use us to ‘make things grow’.

Along the way, there will be hurdles and roadblocks that the inquirers will face. There is only so far that we can go with them. In the end, it is God who in the grand scheme of his plans, will be the one to clear that block or not. The mystery remains whether each inquirer/catechumen makes the path towards baptism. Most of the time they do. But there will be a few who don’t. Perhaps it is timing, or it’s a different plan. We don’t really know, and we can’t even begin to understand God’s plan as well.     

I feel strongly that in whatever we do, especially where planting of seeds matter, God really has to be a part of it. This means that we have to remember to pray about it, remind ourselves not to allow our ego to get in the way nor to take control, that should things not go our way, to not get too upset about it. The spirit is always a patient, loving and forgiving one, never forceful, pushy nor insistent. Only when we collaborate with the Holy Spirit, then will we begin to see the fruits.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Cynthia Chew)

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, make us instruments, as your planters and waterers and help us to remember that you are the grower. May the Holy Spirit be our guide in the work that we do that is always for your glory. Amen. 

Thanksgiving: We want to thank you Lord Jesus, for being with us each day, for helping us to be more open to building God’s kingdom. Let us not be afraid when the call comes and to remain docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.