02/09/2026
September 2, 2026 | “God Is the One Who Gives the Growth”
Today, St. Paul gives us a very simple but powerful message: we are all servants, but God is the one who gives the growth.
Paul tells the Christians in Corinth that they are still behaving like spiritual infants because there is jealousy, rivalry, and division among them. Some were saying, “I belong to Paul,” while others were saying, “I belong to Apollos.”
The problem was not Paul or Apollos. The problem was that the people had forgotten who was really at the center: God.
Paul therefore says: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth.”
1. Avoid jealousy and comparison. Do not allow jealousy and comparison to destroy our relationships.
Sometimes we compare ourselves with others:
“Why is he recognized and I am not?”
“Why does she receive more appreciation?”
“Why is his ministry growing while mine seems unnoticed?”
“Why does another person have more blessings than I do?”
Comparison can slowly turn into jealousy, and jealousy can become division.
St. Paul reminds us that we have different roles. One person plants. Another waters. Another may harvest. But God is the one who makes things grow.
Therefore, we do not have to compete with one another.
The person beside us is not our competitor. He or she is our co-worker in God's vineyard.
2. Remember that we are servants, not owners.
This is an important reminder, especially for anyone who has a responsibility in the Church, in the family, in the workplace, or in the community.
Whatever position we have, we are not the owners of God's work.
A priest is a servant.
A catechist is a servant.
A parent is a servant.
A teacher is a servant.
A ministry leader is a servant.
Even the gifts and talents we possess are gifts entrusted to us by God.
Sometimes we become attached to our own way of doing things. We want people to recognize our contribution. We want our name to be remembered.
But if we do everything for God, we can work faithfully even when nobody notices us.
3. Trust God's timing.
“God caused the growth.”
Paul planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the growth.
This means that our responsibility is to be faithful to what God has entrusted to us. We cannot force results.
We may pray for someone for many years, but we may not immediately see the result.
But today's First Reading remind us that God's work often happens beyond what we can see.
4. We are God's co-workers.
God does not need us because He is incapable of doing His work without us. Rather, He lovingly invites us to participate in His mission.
Every act of kindness can be a seed.
Every prayer can be a seed.
Every word of encouragement can be a seed.
Every sacrifice can be a seed.
Every act of forgiveness can be a seed.
We may never know where that seed will grow.
Today's First Reading invites us to examine our hearts.
Am I becoming jealous of others?
Am I competing when I should be cooperating?
Am I seeking recognition instead of serving?
Do I trust God even when I cannot see the results of my efforts?
Let us remember the words of St. Paul:
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth.”
So let us plant faithfully.
Let us water patiently.
Let us serve humbly.
-Rev. Fr. Jean-Pascal, CICM
Have a Blessed Wednesday.
