How to Receive God’s Grace?

Diane Winkowski • June 13, 2024

It is not the first time the liturgical readings borrow an image and language of agricultural planting and farming to explain Divine matters to us. God’s grace is compared to seeds which are thrown by a farmer on the soil of human faith.

The farmer is generous and spreads the seeds on every kind of soil, poor, and rich. It is up to the soil, and the effort of the human being, if the seed will bear fruit. If the seed of God’s grace falls on rich soil and is grown with care, it grows slowly, quietly and eventually bears great fruit.

We are often impatient and negative regarding God’s grace. We try hard but we do not experience God’s grace and substantial fruit in our spiritual life. Then, we are discouraged and fall into a crisis of faith. Today’s gospel assigned on the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary time gives us a few practical ideas and conditions to experience and welcome God’s grace within us.

First, we must assess what kind of soil we are. We need to examine our disposition of faith. Perhaps there are many rocks and weeds in our soil of faith. Elsewhere in the gospel, Jesus explained the importance of good soil for receiving God’s grace. The parable of the Sower describes different kinds of soil. It is hard for God’s word to grow among weeds and rocks. Even if the Sower is generous and spreads a lot of seeds, it is impossible to bear a good fruit in ground too busy and rocky. (Matthew 13:3-23). Thus, the first condition to receive God’s grace and bear good fruit is to assess and prepare our disposition. Perhaps we are too busy to pray. We often have no time to cultivate the soil of our faith and we are too preoccupied with material things. We do not listen to our heart, which is a place where God speaks to us. If we want to welcome God’s grace and experience significant change in our religious life, we must first make an effort.

Second, God’s grace is compared to a mustard seed. God’s grace is very small at the beginning, like a little seed. God influences our faith and our life very gently by little tiny things. We must often carefully examine our day, and everything that happened, to realize it was God who motivated and inspired us for good. We often expect miracles and great signs in our life. Unfortunately, most of the time God’s grace does not work like that. Therefore, if we do not have time to recognize the small deeds of God and appreciate them, we cannot grow spiritually. Every good idea is implanted in us by God.

We often miss and ignore it because we are distracted and tempted by material and worldly things which look attractive and big.

Today’s gospel is suggesting us to become more attentive and appreciative of God’s small graces. Everything we receive and give, even the little spiritual good, is like a mustard seed. We must appreciate it and be grateful. We must never ignore or take it for granted. It can become something great in the future. Every charism, life of a saint, and great project began with a little seed; a spiritual idea or call given by God, heard and received by a human. Then, it grew and bore much fruit.

The third element suggested by today’s gospel are faith and humility, two necessary characteristics to welcome God’s grace. We must have a strong faith to see a potential spiritual miracle in a little tiny seed. We must have a lot of humility which is like a spiritual patience to accept and allow a little seed of God’s grace to grow within us. A biblical humility does not mean to put ourselves down, but to realize who we are with our strengths and grace as well as our limitations and weaknesses. Humility requires self-awareness and a lot of patience to examine our faith and religious effort.

In summary, today’s gospel encourages us to have a wonderful spiritual journey with God. God constantly pours a lot of grace on each of us. God is like a generous Sower who throws seeds on rich and poor soil. It is up to you and me to realize and accept God’s effort. God’s grace is like a tiny little seed that grows big when it is welcomed and raised with care.

Our faith and humility help a lot. Let’s be grateful for each grace we receive and share with others every day.

Fr. Andrzej

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Come to Jesus and Be Satisfied

By Jennifer Moscatello • July 23, 2026

In today's Gospel, we hear the beautiful story of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. A large crowd follows Jesus into a deserted place. They come with many needs – seeking healing, hope, and the comfort of His presence. Jesus welcomes them with compassion. He teaches them, heals the sick, and then performs a remarkable miracle. With only five loaves and two fish, He feeds more than five thousand people. Everyone eats as much as they want, and all are satisfied. Even more amazingly, twelve baskets of leftovers are collected. This Gospel reminds us of what happens every time we gather for Holy Mass. Like the people in today's Gospel, we come to Jesus carrying the joys, worries, and burdens of our daily lives. We listen to His Word, which encourages and strengthens us. Then Jesus feeds us with the greatest gift of all – His own Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. Just as He fed the hungry crowd, He continues to nourish His people with the Bread of Life. Jesus always gives generously. He never measures His love or limits His grace. There is enough for everyone. If we come to Him with open hearts, He will fill us with the strength, peace, and hope we need. The miracle of the loaves and fish is not only a story from long ago. In a real and beautiful way, it continues every time the Holy Mass is celebrated. Jesus is present. He speaks to us, feeds us, and sends us forth renewed. We are especially blessed at St. Martin of Tours Parish to have the opportunity to celebrate daily Mass and to spend time with Jesus during our weekly Eucharistic Adoration. Many parishioners faithfully take advantage of these opportunities, discovering again and again the peace and joy that come from being close to the Lord. Let us never take the gift of the Eucharist for granted. May we come to Mass with grateful hearts, expecting to meet Jesus, to hear His voice, and to receive the Bread of Life. He alone can satisfy the deepest hunger of our hearts. Fr. Andrzej

"Thy Kingdom Come"

By Jennifer Moscatello • July 16, 2026

A young fish once had an argument with an older, wiser fish. "This is not the ocean," the young fish insisted. "This is only the sea. I want to find the ocean." The older fish smiled and replied, "But this is the ocean." The young fish could not believe it. She spent her entire life searching for the ocean, never realizing that she had been swimming in it all along. Sometimes we are like that young fish. In today’s Gospel (Matthew 13:24-43), Jesus tells several parables about the Kingdom of God. Yet we often struggle to believe that God’s Kingdom is already here. We see evil, wars, injustice, suffering, and sin, and we wonder, “How can this be God’s Kingdom?” We may think our only task is to survive this world until we reach heaven. But that is not what Jesus teaches. He tells His disciples, “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand” elsewhere in the gospel (Matthew 10:7). The Kingdom is not only a future promise – it is already among us. It is present wherever God is welcomed, love overcomes hatred, forgiveness replaces revenge, and hope is shared with those who have lost it. Jesus also calls us to help His Kingdom grow. Like the mustard seed and the yeast in today’s Gospel, even small acts of faith, kindness, and mercy can change lives and make God’s presence visible. This week we celebrate the feast of St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers. Tradition tells us that by carrying a child across a river, Christopher discovered he was carrying Christ Himself. By serving another person, he served Jesus. After every Mass this weekend, we will bless vehicles. As we ask God for safe travels, let us also ask Him to make us faithful witnesses wherever the road leads us. Every journey is an opportunity to bring Christ’s love, peace, and hope to those we meet. May we never spend our lives searching for God’s Kingdom as if it were far away. Jesus reminds us that His Kingdom is already at hand. Let us recognize it, live it, and help it grow every day. Fr. Andrzej P.S. The example of the two fish is adapted from stories by David Foster Wallace.

The Generous Sower

By Jennifer Moscatello • July 9, 2026

At first, today's Gospel sounds like a story about farming. Many of us enjoy gardening, and some of our parish families have spent generations working the land. It is natural to picture a farmer scattering seeds across a field. But Jesus is not teaching us about agriculture. He is teaching us about God. The sower is God Himself. The seed is His Word and His grace. The soil is our heart. The first thing Jesus wants us to notice is not the soil but the sower. He is amazingly generous. He scatters seed everywhere without measuring, without counting, and without asking whether the ground deserves it. Some seed falls on good soil, but some falls on rocky ground, among thorns, and even on the path. From a farmer's point of view, this may seem wasteful. From God's point of view, it is love. This is how God loves us. He never stops reaching out to us. He never says, "This person is not worth it." His grace is offered to everyone – the faithful and the struggling, the saint and the sinner, the young and the old, the rich and the poor. No one is outside His love. No one is forgotten. Then Jesus gently turns our attention to ourselves. What kind of soil is my heart today? Am I open to God's Word? Do I allow His grace to take root, grow, and bear fruit in my daily life? God gives the same seed to each of us. The difference is not in the seed but in how we receive it. The prophet Isaiah in the first reading today gives us a beautiful promise: God's Word never returns empty. Like the rain that waters the earth, His Word always brings life. God is always working quietly and faithfully, even when we cannot see it. The message of today’s liturgy is full of hope. Every new day God continues to sow His grace into our lives. Every new day gives us another chance to become good soil. Let us thank God for His generous love. Let us open our hearts to His Word. And let us trust that, with His grace, our lives can bear fruit far beyond what we could ever imagine. Fr. Andrzej

God Works through Humble Hearts

By Jennifer Moscatello • June 26, 2026

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus thanks His Father because He has revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom to "the little ones." Then He invites us with these beautiful words: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Who are these "little ones"? Jesus is not speaking about people who are uneducated, poor, or weak. He is speaking about people with humble hearts. They know they need God. They know they are not perfect and that they cannot do everything on their own. They recognize that every blessing, every talent, and every good thing they have is a gift from God. They trust Him more than they trust themselves. The world often admires people who are successful, powerful, and independent. Humble people are sometimes overlooked. But in God's eyes, they are precious. They are open to His grace and ready to follow His will. That is why they are the first to recognize Jesus and welcome His Kingdom. The first reading gives us the same message. The prophet Zechariah speaks about a king who comes riding on a donkey, not on a war horse. He is gentle, humble, and brings peace. This king is Jesus. He does not come to impress people or to show His power. He comes to serve, to save, and to lead us to His Father. This is also an important lesson for us. Whether we serve in our families, our parish, or our community, it is not about us. It is not our talents, our ideas, or our achievements that change hearts. It is God who does His work. We simply prepare the way for Him. We plant the seeds, and He gives the growth. God has always done great things through ordinary people with humble hearts. He is still looking for people who are willing to say "yes" to Him. May we become those "little ones" whom Jesus loves: humble enough to trust Him, open enough to receive His grace, and willing to help others come closer to Him. Then, even through our ordinary lives, God will do extraordinary things. Fr. Andrzej

Trusting God Through the Darkness

By Jennifer Moscatello • June 18, 2026

(Jeremiah 20:10-13; Matthew 10:26-33) In the Bible, darkness or night often symbolizes spiritual desolation – a time when we feel distant from God or struggle to sense His presence in our lives. Most of us experience such moments sooner or later. They can be times of doubt, discouragement, sadness, or uncertainty. While these experiences are difficult, they are often part of our spiritual journey and growth. In today’s first reading, the prophet Jeremiah shares his own struggle. He feels afraid, overwhelmed, and alone. Yet he does not give up. Instead, he turns to God and places his trust in Him. Even in the midst of his suffering, Jeremiah believes that God is with him and will give him the strength to persevere. Jesus speaks about these difficult moments in today’s Gospel as well. Knowing that His disciples will face challenges and trials, He encourages them with a simple but powerful message: “Do not be afraid.” Even when God seems far away, He is still close to us. Even when we cannot feel His presence, He continues to watch over us with love and care. Jesus reminds us that we are precious in God’s eyes: “Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” I have experienced times of spiritual desolation in my own religious and priestly life. Looking back, I can see that those moments became opportunities for growth. They taught me humility, patience, and a deeper trust in God. During difficult times, it is important not to lose hope or make important decisions based on fear, anger, or discouragement. Instead, we are called to remain faithful in prayer and trust that God is leading us, even when the path ahead is unclear. One simple truth is worth remembering: after every night comes a new day. No matter how long or dark the night may seem, the dawn eventually arrives. In the same way, God’s light and grace will break through the darkness of our struggles. Holding on to this hope can help us persevere when life is difficult. Today’s readings remind us that we are never alone. God walks with us through every trial and every dark moment. He does not abandon us. He knows us, loves us, and remains faithful to us even when our faith feels weak. Today, we also celebrate Father’s Day. We thank God for our fathers and for all those who have been fatherly figures in our lives. We are grateful for their love, support, guidance, and sacrifices, especially during the times when we needed them most. May God bless them abundantly and fill them with His peace, joy, and strength. Happy Father’s Day! Fr. Andrzej

Compassion That Leads to Mission

By Jennifer Moscatello • June 11, 2026

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus looks at the crowds and sees people who are struggling, searching, and in need. St. Matthew tells us that His heart was moved with compassion for them. Jesus does not ignore their needs or pass them by. He notices them, loves them, and responds to them. This is an important reminder for us. God sees each one of us personally. He knows our joys, our worries, and our struggles. He cares deeply about His people and calls us to share that same compassion with others. After seeing the needs of the crowd, Jesus calls His disciples and sends them out to continue His mission. It is beautiful that the Gospel mentions each disciple by name. Jesus does not call a group of strangers. He calls each person personally. The same is true today. Each of us is known, loved, and chosen by God. Each of us has a mission to fulfill. This mission is not only for priests, deacons, religious, or professional ministers. Through our Baptism, all of us are called to be disciples and witnesses of Christ. We serve in different ways – in our families, workplaces, schools, parish ministries, and daily encounters with others. Each of us has gifts, talents, and life experiences that can help those who are struggling or in need. Often, we do not need to make extraordinary efforts. Sometimes simply giving our time, listening, visiting, or being present for someone can make a profound difference. Wherever we bring kindness, hope, encouragement, and faith, we continue the mission of Jesus. Today’s Gospel is also about relationships. Jesus cares for the crowd. Jesus calls his disciples personally. The disciples learn from Jesus and remain close to Him. Their ministry flows from their relationship with the Lord. As we serve others, we grow in love, strengthen our bonds with one another, and build up our parish community. The closer we are to Jesus through prayer, the Eucharist, and daily faithfulness, the more fruitfully we can serve others. The harvest is still abundant in our parish and in our community. There are many people who need a helping hand, a listening ear, and the love of Christ. Let us be aware of our call and our mission. Let us stay close to Jesus and close to the people we serve. And let us do so with gratitude and joy, knowing that when we give ourselves generously to others, we often receive far more in return. Like the first disciples, we too have been personally chosen and sent by the Lord. May we answer His call with willing and generous hearts. Fr. Andrzej