"bloom where you're planted"
"My purpose in leaving you in Crete was that you might accomplish what had been left undone..." —Titus 1:5
Paul left Titus behind in Crete to minister to the Cretans. However, "Cretans have ever been liars, beasts, and lazy gluttons" (Ti 1:12). Paul probably didn't get too many resumes from candidates looking to get the job in Crete. Titus accepted the grace and faithfully established the foundations of the Church in Crete.
After Jesus set a Gerasene man free from a legion of demons, He did not allow the man to accompany Him (Mk 5:18ff). Instead, Jesus sent him back to witness to his family. "At that the man went off and began to proclaim throughout the Ten Cities" — above and beyond what Jesus asked of him — "what Jesus had done for him. They were all amazed at what they heard" (Mk 5:20).
Jesus refused Peter's request to remain atop the Mount of Transfiguration amidst the scene of His glory (Mt 17:4). Instead, Peter had to keep quiet about this wonderful experience (Mk 9:9) and return to failure and rebuke down in the valley (Mk 9:18-19). By the Holy Spirit, Peter persevered and soon led three thousand of these people to Jesus in one day (Acts 2:41).
Jesus may plant us in a sprawling weed patch (Mt 13:30). He calls us to "stay on in" our weed patch (1 Tm 1:3) and to "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). "Do whatever He (Jesus) tells you" (Jn 2:5). Remember that, in Jesus, "you are the light of the world" (Mt 5:14). Through you, may the weeds one day testify: "A people living in darkness has seen a great light. On those who inhabit a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen" (Mt 4:16).
Prayer: "To do Your will, O my God, is my delight" (Ps 40:9).
Promise: "If he sins against you seven times a day, and seven times a day turns back to you saying: 'I am sorry,' forgive him." —Lk 17:4
Praise: Facing the conditions of extreme poverty her many people endured, St. Frances remained undeterred in her efforts to establish orphanages and places of care for the sick and uneducated.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by one of our editors.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 24, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 27, 2000