Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
In our reading, pottery that is made well will not break when it is heated up. Trees that are cared for will produce good fruit. We know what kind of person someone is by what they say.
In our Gospel, Jesus was talking to his disciples. He was comparing trees to people. Good trees produce good fruit just as people with good hearts do good and kind things. Bad trees produce bad fruit just as people with evil in their hearts do mead and unkind things. We can tell how people are by the things they do.
Special Saint: St. Katharine Drexel – March 3rd
Katharine Drexel was born in the USA on November 26, 1858. Her mother died when she was a baby and her father married a kind woman named Emma.
Katharine had 2 sisters and her parents were very religious. The family prayed together every day before an altar they had in their home. Their mother, Emma, helped the poor and Katharine learned the joy of sharing their wealth with those in need.
Katharine grew up and became an active Catholic giving generously of her time and money. She helped the poor and forgotten, especially the African American and Native American people.
In 1891, Katharine began a new religious community called the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. She became known as Mother Katharine.
When they inherited their family’s fortune, the three Drexel sisters built schools, convents, and churches. Mother Katharine provided assistance and education to African Americans and Native Americans who were in need.
She found Jesus truly present in the Eucharist and in all the people whom she so lovingly served.
Mother Katharine died on March 3, 1955 at 97 years old.
St. Katharine teaches us a special lesson. She helped those who were poor and forgotten rather than being only concerned about herself. This will make us more like Jesus!