Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday of week 27 in Ordinary Time
Saint John XXIII, Pope
Reading: Joel 4:12-21
The prophet Joel proclaims, “Apply the sickle, for the harvest is ripe,” reminding us that the time of grace is now. We often look to the future for signs of God’s favor, but Joel invites us to recognize that this very moment, imperfect and fleeting, is already filled with divine opportunity. The harvest symbolizes both judgment and mercy, the culmination of God’s patient work in our hearts. Through Christ, this “time of harvest” becomes the era of salvation, where grace is poured out abundantly for all who turn to Him. As we commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John XXIII, we are reminded that the response to grace is not fear, but openness and readiness to cooperate with God’s will. Mary’s fiat and John XXIII’s trust in divine providence teach us how to live fruitfully in this sacred time, by letting the Spirit transform every season of life into a harvest of peace, mercy, and renewal. Let’s reflect: Am I aware that this very moment is a time of grace, and am I allowing God to bring forth a harvest of faith and love in my life today?
Don Giorgio