Ephesians 3:2-12 / Luke 12:39-48
Paul talks about his call: God called me, the least of all his people.
The Melrose Suspension Bridge on the Niagara links the United States to Canada. The bridge was reportedly built in 1848 by engineer Theodore Elliot, in this fashion. First, a kite with a thread attached to it was flown across the Niagara River.
Next, a cord was attached to the thread and pulled across. Then, a rope was attached to the cord. Finally, a cable was attached to the rope. From the cable, larger cables and the rest of the bridge were moved into place. Had Paul lived in our modern times, he might have used this story to make the point he stressed in today’s reading. He, “the least of all God’s people,” was the tiny, fragile thread by which God began
the convention of the Gentile world.
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Do we believe that God can use us to do big things, just as he used Paul? “I’m only a spark, / Make me a fire, I’m only a string, / Make me a lyre Amado Nervo
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Blessed Timothy Giaccardo (1896 -1948)
Born a normal, healthy-looking baby, Joseph fell critically ill when barely 6 months old. Fearing for his life, the devout parents pinned all their hope on the Blessed Virgin, thus having their son miraculously cured.
Early in life, virtues such as hard work, filial devotion to Mary and a special love for the Eucharist were inculcated in Joseph, the simple and honest lifestyle of his parents, coupled with a deep love for the Church, inspiring him.
At 12, he came under the influence of Fr James Alberione, who was deeply impressed by his intelligent questions and sensible answers. He entered the Seminary at Alba where Alberione was Spiritual Director. With Alberione soon moving out to start his apostolate of the mass media along with a group of youngsters, Joseph experienced a strong yearning to be part of the new venture. But the very concept of such an apostolate being alien to the Church and grossly misunderstood, the local bishop sternly directed Joseph to choose between the priesthood and the apostolate of the press. Joseph, sure of his convictions, chose the latter and, at his First Profession in the Society of St Paul in 1917 took the name of Timothy, Paul’s closest collaborator, going on to become not only the right hand man of the far-sighted Alberione but, at his ordination in 1919, the first priest ordained explicitly for the ministry of the mass media!
Timothy was beatified in 1989, a shining example of the importance the Church today attaches to the “apostolate of the good press” initiated by Blessed James Alberione.
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We all know how unpleasant and frustrating it is to wait for someone or for something. We just have to remember the last time we missed the bus or the train, and we have to spend the unproductive time waiting for the next one to come. Or if the delivery person or the repair-man tells us that he will come between a certain time. We may have no other choice than to just sit around and wait. Not only can it be boring, the time is like wasted away.
Yet as much as we don't like to wait, let us also realize that the Lord is waiting for us. He is waiting for us to respond to His promptings and to use the gifts and talents that He has bestowed upon us to reach out and serve others. There is always someone waiting for us to help them in their troubles, to show love and care, to listen and to share.
In the 1st reading, we knew why St. Paul was so zealous and fervent about his mission. Because he knew that what was entrusted to him was a gift of grace from God. He knew that much was entrusted to him and much was also expected from him. The Lord has entrusted us with His love. May we not wait any longer to put His love into action.
