June 24, 2025 // Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
Reflect on the Word //
I stood by the window, sunlight pouring in and casting a golden glow across the room. Yet that radiant light felt distant, obscured by the weight of my frustrations and disappointments. Did my efforts matter? Would I ever see the fruits of my labor? These questions clouded my mind, dimming my hope. I could no longer see the beauty in my labors, only the endless cycle of tasks.
Then, in that moment of struggle, a shift occurred. My eyes, once clouded with frustration, opened to a powerful truth: it was not about the visibility of my work, it was about the love that motivated it. God forged us to be sharp-edged swords and polished arrows, destined to reflect His glory. I felt the peace of the Holy Spirit flood my heart, a reminder that I am not alone.
We often feel hidden, as if God has tucked us away. However, perhaps He is protecting and preparing us as He shows us in today’s First Reading from Isaiah. Like arrows in His quiver, we are being crafted for a greater mission, shaped in the shadows to shine brightly when the time is right. In those moments of doubt, we must remember that our reward is with the Lord. Though we may not see the immediate impact of our labor, in His eyes, we are cherished. Our service, however small, carries eternal worth. When we feel unnoticed, let us embrace the truth that we are God’s polished arrows, each with a unique purpose.
Even in our quiet moments, God is at work. We are being sculpted for greatness, destined to be lights in the darkness, and called from the womb like today’s Saint of John the Baptist. Together, we are called to shine, reflecting His truth and drawing others to Him. No matter how concealed our light may feel, we radiate His glory. In His quiver, He is preparing us for something extraordinary.
Relate to the Lord // Have you been measuring your efforts by results or by love? Ask the Lord for His perspective.
Rose Coleman is an elementary school teacher with a heart for pilgrimage. She traveled the globe on a ship during college and spent some years in the convent as a religious sister. She was a contributing author to All She Had, Blessed Conversations: Rooted, and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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