BASED ON CATHOLIC LITURGICAL READINGS
15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
THEME: “THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD”
((Readings: 1st: Isa 55:10-11; Ps: 64; 2nd: Rom 8:18-23; Gos: Mt 13:1-23))
The words that we speak are very powerful. An author named Yehuda Berg, said that “words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble”. In our African context words can curse and words can bless, build or destroy. Therefore, we should be careful of the words that we speak to others and to ourselves because they can turn to reality or even our destiny.
Today being the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we celebrate Jesus Christ who sows the seed of God´s word in our hearts. This word of God is the promise of God in your life, the plans that he heard with you even before you were born; they will not return to him empty without accomplishing its mission and purpose in your life. The promise and the word of God is true, firm, real and sure. The word that Christ sows in our hearts is powerful enough to produce plentiful harvest given that the necessary conditions for growth are provided. It has the power to heal, cure, raise, comfort, bless, and cleanse.
Prophet Isaiah in the first reading compares the word of God to the rain and snow that falls on the ground. “As the rain and snow come down from heaven without watering the earth…so my words do not return to me empty, without fulfilling its mission.” (Isa 55:10-11): This is because the word of God is viable and active. It has the full potency to rejuvenate and nourish our life. As a two-edged sword, (Heb 4:2), it acquits and convicts one.
The spreading of the seeds everywhere without considering the nature and type of the soil and where they fall indicates God´s willingness to allow everyone to hear and receive his words and promises. This shows universality of salvation. God has no favorites and He wishes that we all become beneficiaries of his promises and bear fruits in abundance.
However, according to the parable of the Sower, there are three Major hindrances that can prevent the plans of God in your life. The problem is not the seed/word but the receiver/ground; Our attitude towards the word of God and the conditions surrounding us.
- PATH: The seed that feel on the edge of the path represents those who hear the word of God without understanding. Unfortunately, majority of Catholics belongs to this category. We have received faith that we neither understand nor make any effort to learn. Many of us do not attend seminars nor do we read anything about our faith. Therefore, the evil one comes, deceives us and carries off the good seed that has been sown in us. As a result, many Catholics have been seduced and deceived to leave their true religion. If you receive something that you do not understand, then you will not treasure it and it will be taken away from you.
- ROCKS: The one who received it on the patches of the rocks is the man who hears the word of and welcomes it at once with joy. But he has no strong root in him, he does not last; let some trial come, or some persecution on account of his faith, he falls away at once. Jesus explains that this kind of person is at first impressed by the message but quickly loses interest because of the effort needed to keep the word alive.
A good example is the disciples who followed Jesus for a long time but when he was arrested and crucified, they ran away and disappeared completely. We have Christians who want Christ without the cross “Crossless Christ”. Little problems and persecutions, they will leave the church and their responsibilities and turn to somewhere else because they are not deeply rooted. Are you strong enough to withstand challenges and difficulties you encounter as a student, at work or in your marriage?
- THORNS: The one who received in thorns is the man who hears the word of God but the worries of this world, the lure of the riches, materialism, peer groups and friends, family members, person ambitions, and social influence, choke the word and therefore he produces no fruits. The conditions surrounding you can either be a ladder to achieve your dreams or an obstacle why God´s plans will not be fulfilled in your life. The classic example is Judas who follows Jesus for a long time, but in the end cannot let go of his worldly interests and so exchanges his Lord for earthly silver. What are some of the thorns surrounding you?
Ultimately, Jesus is teaching us that in spite of all the three obstacles above, his word will yield abundant fruits because it holds in itself the irresistible force of life. An obstacle can only delay but can never stop the plans of God in your life. Jesus is therefore teaching us to be a deep fertile soil, that contains moisture and other necessary nutrients for growth. We should have open hearts filled with holiness and humility. We should be eager to hear the word and ready to put it into practice. We should be attentive to the Holy Spirit. Then, we shall produce amazing results: thirty-fold, sixty-fold – even a hundred-fold, an enormous yield. Amen!
Prayer: Thank You, Lord for being my refuge and strength. Amen
Fr. Antony Muchui, SVD
Blessed Sunday (Do you want to become a Divine word missionary? Contact our vocation office +255 629269140 or +254 792 299 140)
“May the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all People. Amen”
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 