In this week’s video I shared a bit about Vacation Bible School (VBS) and how it is both a great week and an exhausting week. This week’s Gospel passage reminded me of so many VBS’s in the past that have used the shorter parables Jesus shares in the long version of the Gospel reading. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like….” I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a number of mustard seeds make their way into our house only to be lost in couch cushions. The tiny seed that grows into a mighty tree is a simple, powerful image for how faith can grow.
As a VBS leader, this Gospel passage couldn’t be more perfect. Each element of VBS is intended to sow these little seeds of faith. The songs, the games, the stories, the lightsaber wielding Franciscan (yes, we have one of those here in Alabama!) – each interaction carries with it a hope that faith will deepen and grow in the hearts of the children in attendance. There is also the hope that the kids will bring their joy and enthusiasm home to inspire their parents. Just today, my kids were playing a board game and interspersed in the game they were singing a VBS song – “I am not forgotten, I am not forgotten, God knows my name.”
As it is the middle of July, many of you may not be aware that your parishes are beginning to gear up and think about ministry volunteers for the fall. Religious Education coordinators are starting to consider whom to ask to be a teacher this year. RCIA leaders are beginning to form teams to accompany individuals who wish to begin or complete their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). Lector, choir, and altar server schedules are being built for the fall months.
As the summer continues to unfold, and before you get too deep into the back to school craze, this is a great time to consider how you want to spend your fall. What activities will bring form and shape to your overall schedule? Where does God fit into your day to day, your week, your month? Do you have an ongoing ministry practice already? If yes, it is wise to discern if this is the ministry God is still calling you to. Perhaps the answer is yes, and what a joy to be able to continue serving your community in this way that you are familiar with. For some of you, the answer may be no. This is ok, though difficult. If God places it upon your heart that it is time to move on from a ministry, what could He be inviting you to explore in its place? If you don’t have a ministry, where do you see a need in your parish or community?
God is calling each one of us to be evangelists. An evangelist is someone who shares their faith with others. Participating in ministry is a great way to begin growing an evangelical spirit within you. So, before your schedule gets overwhelmed with activities, school events, fall festivals, and other events, think about how a ministry can play a role in your life.
God has given you specific and unique gifts. There is someone out there waiting to hear about the faith from you. Maybe it will be in a conversation, maybe it will be in a classroom, maybe it will be watching you serve on the altar. You get to help God plant seeds of faith, how incredible is that?!
Daily Graces 