FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR A
Is 55:10-11; Ps 65
Rom. 8:18-23; Mtt. 13:1-23
YOU TOO CAN BECOME A GOOD SOIL
Today’s gospel is a parable. The parable of a sower who goes out to sow and he throws his seeds about as if he didn’t care. We read that some fell on the pathway where birds came and ate them up; others fell on rocky ground but having no depth, the seeds died as they began to germinate; other seeds fell among thorns and as they grew together, the thorns chocked them to death. But there was a good soil. The seeds that fell here grew, blossomed and there was a great harvest.
What does this mean for us today?
A pathway generally is route to a place. One thing about the pathway is that, unless it’s a restricted area, everybody can use it. Those whose hearts are the pathways entertain every idea and thought even if it’s damaging to their faith in Christ. They believe in everything and believe in nothing. They believe in Jesus and juju at the same time. They view Christianity as one of the many options of religion and not an intimate and special call of God. For these people, the Word of God comes to them but is unable to bear fruit because birds – opinions – eat up the efficacy of the Word of God in their lives. Are you a pathway?
The rocky ground refers to those who seem ready and enthused to receive the Word of God but are unable to hold on to it. For a moment it looked as if the Word of God is growing in their lives then all of a sudden, they burn out once again. Sometimes when one goes for programmes like a crusade and have a moment of grace and is unable to hold on to it. Their experience of Jesus is so short lived. Such brother and sister live their Christian life just waiting for a supposed ‘charged atmosphere of the presence of God’. They lack the commitment and discipline required of a disciple. Does this sound like you?
What about the seeds among thorns? These are persons who claim to be Christians and yet their lifestyle chokes out the faith. They fall out of the church eventually and the only claim they have is they were once Christians. Others who remain in the church are left with some frivolous claims of how long they have been in the church, which noted figures in the church they know or how much they support the church with their money. The truth is these counts for nothing as far as being a disciple of Jesus is concerned. This is what matters; if you are truly a disciple of Jesus, what you should be proud of should be that your life bears evidence of conversion, love, commitment and good works.
But the work of the sower was not fruitless. Some of the seeds fell on good soil. There is good news when Jesus is involved. There is always good news of hope when it comes to God. Here the seeds grew and blossomed. The good soil yielded a harvest of thirty, sixty and hundred. Now this is unique and miraculous even though we may not understand it today. In those days, a normal harvest would yield seven and half fold and a good harvest would be tenfold. But here the indication of the good soil yielding thirty, sixty and hundred is pointing to a miraculous harvest. A superabundant harvest that can be the doing of the Lord alone.
All those who open their hearts to Jesus and allow the Word of God to grow in their lives never cease to experience the miraculous blessing of the Lord. It doesn’t matter what state of life you are in now. You can be described as the pathway, the rocky ground or the thorns – it doesn’t matter. God can change your life. Just give him a chance. As you read this piece it is the Lord inviting you to this fruitfulness of life. Open your heart to his word.
Do not be too afraid to come to him. He is a careless sower. He is not too careful with his love. You too can have his love. In fact, the death of Jesus on the cross has given you and I access to the unfathomable love of God. Do not be afraid, you too can bear fruit. He has done it over and over again for me and others. He will do it for you. Your life can be fruitful too.
May the grace and power of Jesus work in your heart and life.
God bless you.
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
