The Gospel passages early in Ordinary Time are full of optimism. Jesus comes to Galilee to proclaim the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand.” Jesus tells the Eleven to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel.”  Jesus claims everyone is his family: “For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Very large crowds gather around Jesus to hear his teachings, such as the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. Optimism permeates the Gospel. It should permeate our lives, too.  After all, we know the end of the story, the climax of the Good News:  Risen Life with Christ in God.