Say not that you cannot

Many of us are often reluctant to speak out or to share our faith.

We may think we are too young or uneducated.

We may think that our small voice will be lost amid the noise and haste of the world.

Today's readings tell us otherwise, beginning with the first reading (Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10):

"Ah, Lord GOD!" I said,
"I know not how to speak; I am too young."

But the LORD answered me,
Say not, "I am too young."
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
because I am with you to deliver you,
says the LORD.

Then the LORD extended his hand
and touched my mouth, saying,

See, I place my words in your mouth!
This day I set you
over nations and over kingdoms,
To root up and to tear down,
to destroy and to demolish,
to build and to plant.

Nor should we be discouraged by the smallness of our voice amid the rough and tumble of the world. Listen to what our Lord says in today's Gospel (Matthew 13:1-9) about the small seed that is sown into seemingly hopeless places.

A sower went out to sow.

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.

Some fell on rocky ground,
where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once
because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.

Some seed fell among thorns,
and the thorns grew up and choked it.

But some seed fell on rich soil,
and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.

Whoever has ears ought to hear.

We must be prudent, yet we must never be discouraged or intimidated.

To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
because I am with you to deliver you,
says the LORD.

Then the LORD extended his hand
and touched my mouth, saying,

See, I place my words in your mouth!