# No loving act is fruitless
*2016-03-16*

> Bill Young reflects on the life of St. Clement and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to encourage listeners to trust that no act of love is ever wasted, even in the face of failure.

## The Example of St. Clement

Today is Wednesday of the fifth week of Lent, and we are continuing to pray from the book 'Renew Our Hearts,' a personal invitation to Lenten conversion from Pope Francis. Today's reflection is titled 'No Loving Act is Fruitless,' which is very appropriate given that today is the feast day of St. Clement.

St. Clement lived in the early 19th century. His life was a constant challenge; he couldn't even afford his studies and relied on two women who acted as his patrons. Later in life, he saw his life's work meet with disaster. Religious and political tensions forced him and his brothers to abandon their missionary work in Germany, Poland, and Switzerland. Clement himself was exiled from Poland and Switzerland and had to start all over again.

## Finding Possibility in Failure

There is a powerful lesson in St. Clement's life: followers of the crucified Jesus should see possibilities opening up whenever they meet failure. He encourages us to follow his example, trusting in the Lord to guide us. It is through failure that we succeed, and it is through the love of the Lord that we find true success.

## The Movement of the Spirit

In John 3:8, we read, 'The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the spirit.' We believe that all those who entrust themselves to God in love will bear good fruit, though this fruitfulness is often invisible, inclusive, and unattainable by human standards. We trust our lives to be fruitful without claiming to know how, where, or when.

## Trusting God's Timing

No act of love will be lost, nor any act of sincere concern for others. No generous effort is meaningless, and no painful endurance is wasted. These acts encircle our world like a vital force. Sometimes it seems that our works are fruitless, but mission is not like a transaction, an investment, or even a humanitarian activity. It escapes all human measurement.

The Holy Spirit works as He wills, when He wills, and where He wills. We entrust ourselves to Him without pretending to see striking results, knowing only that our commitment is necessary. Let us learn to rest in the tenderness of the arms of the Father amidst our creative and generous commitment. Let us keep marching forward, giving God everything, and allowing Him to make our efforts bear fruit in His good time.

*Trust that your loving actions are tools for the Holy Spirit to create good, regardless of whether you see immediate results.*