🕃 The Holy and Righteous Forebears of God Joachim and Anna; The Holy Martyr Severian.
Post-feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God. Saint with Six Stichera.
Galatians 6:2-10; Mark 7:14-24.
Read Galatians 6:2-10
A priest in the seminary used to tell us that for every good deed we do in this life, we receive extra grace in heaven. Perhaps his language was simple, but the point was profound: no good that we do in this life is ever wasted before God.
St. Paul tells us today: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we shall reap, if we do not give up.” And then he adds, “While we have the opportunity, let us do good to all.”
There is an urgency in those words: while we have the opportunity. We often postpone the good we could do. We think we will call someone tomorrow, forgive later, help when we have more time, or offer an encouraging word another day. But the opportunity God gives us to love someone is often right in front of us, today, here and now.
St. Paul also tells us to “bear one another’s burdens.” St. John Chrysostom expresses this beautifully: “We must not only put them on their guard before they sin but we must also extend a helping hand after they have fallen.” This is what Christian goodness looks like. It is not simply avoiding evil ourselves; it is noticing the person beside us and helping carry the burden.
And these good works do not have to be extraordinary. Sometimes it is listening patiently, encouraging someone, forgiving, giving our time, or simply being present when someone is struggling.
So while we have time, let us do good. Every act of love plants something for eternity, even when we may never see the harvest in this life.
So, what is the good deed you are about to do now?