Do Not Grow Weary

SCRIPTURE
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13
"As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good."

REFLECTION
- Sr. M. Karolyn

MUSIC
-Eye Has Not Seen

-Be Present At Our Table, O Lord

NOTES
-

PRAYER OF LETTING GO
To You do I belong, O God,
into Your hands I surrender my life.
Pour out Your Spirit upon me
that I may love You perfectly,
and serve You faithfully
until my soul rests in You.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:19

Unfortunately, the first thing that floods our minds when the alarm goes off isn't always praise and gratitude. For some, it's the burdens of the coming day. But let's not forget what we are told in Lamentations that God's love never ceases, and his mercies are new every morning. Now that's a great way to start the day. Thank you for joining us and welcome to prayer. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

SPEAKER_02 1:07

Psalm eight God's splendor. Lord, your name is so great and powerful. People everywhere see your splendor. Your glorious majesty streams from the heavens, filling the earth with the fame of your name.

SPEAKER_01 1:32

Look at the splendor of your sky. Your creative genius glows in the universe. Now I gaze at your moon and your stars, mounted like jewels in their settings. I know you are the creator of it all.

SPEAKER_02 1:58

But when I look up and see such wonder above, I have to ask the question compared to all this glory, why would you bother with puny mortal humans?

SPEAKER_01 2:17

Yet, what honor you have given to us. You created us in your image, fashioned us with your hands. Trees are beautiful. Mountains are impressive. But only we, your daughters and sons, radiate your splendor and can say thank you for blessing us.

SPEAKER_02 2:46

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_01 2:51

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

SPEAKER_00 3:12

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. The word of the Lord. Choosing the good takes exercise. And exercise can be daunting sometimes. While it might feel good after the fact, leading up to it, we might feel discouraged or distracted in some way. And then in the midst of it, people will often say we feel the burn. Ultimately, exercise is good for us. There are things that need to be burned away so we can move more freely. On the treadmill, yes, but also in our Christian practices. What needs to be burned away so that I can give of myself more freely? What prevents me from generously doing the good? How have I grown weary in offering myself to my brothers and sisters in need? Perhaps it's a simple human problem, but the reality is there's no cure for being human. We have limits, and we often run up against those limits. Limited time, limited energy, limited financial resources, limited patience with the people around us. And those limits can sometimes be compounded when perhaps our efforts are not received or they don't seem like they're all that effective. St. Paul's encouragement today is an invitation to perseverance, even when we run up against those limits or when we feel the burn. In a world permeated by war and violence and vices that lead to poverty in all forms, we all find hope in those good news stories of people who do good for those around them, whether it's the good Samaritan who steps in to help a little old lady cross the street, a stranger who pays for the car behind them in the drive-thru, or an anonymous benefactor who provides ice cream for the whole children's hospital. One good deed can bring inspiration to others and perhaps spark a chain reaction in another heart that might has grown might have grown weary of doing the good. Never underestimate how your kindness toward a brother or sister in need could affect more than just the direct recipient. And in that, even if you feel a burn in the moment, I'm confident that you and others around you will be energized by the joy that results in looking out for another, even if it's inconvenient. Perhaps especially when it's inconvenient. In particular, this line The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway. Embolstered by St. Paul's encouragement, do not grow weary of it. Know and trust that weariness will be elevated and energized by goodness and generosity. Let's end with a prayer that's attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola, asking for that very grace. Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not heed the wound, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I am doing your will. Amen.

SPEAKER_03 7:16

With confidence we pray. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, help us to never grow weary of doing what is good. When we become tired, discouraged, or frustrated, renew our strength and remind us that our faithful efforts are never wasted in your sight. Give us patience to continue serving others with love, kindness, and humility. In Jesus' name we pray. To you do I belong, O God. Into your hands I surrender my life and pour out your spirit upon me, that I may love you perfectly and serve you faithfully until my soul rests in you. There was a point in Sister Carolyn's reflection that really resonated with me when she said, Even if you know the good works you do today will be forgotten tomorrow, do them anyway. They're not lost on the Lord. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_01 9:00

Amen.

SPEAKER_03 9:02

Go forth in love and kindness, and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow.