Readings: Exodus 16:1-5.9-15, Psalm 78 and Matthew 13:1-9
“Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:8-9)
A well-brought-up child is the pride and joy of their parents. As our Gospel passage today explains, the nature of the soil determines the nature of the harvest. Let us bear in mind that our role as parents is to cultivate and constantly manure good soils in the heart of our children so that God can work mightily through them.
Another serious problem among today’s children is the development of an entitlement mentality. Many children do not understand that it is okay to suffer for a while, to delay gratification, that money takes time to come by, that life is a journey.
Like the children of Israel on their way to the Promised Land, children want it all now. And when they don’t get it, they complain, they throw up tantrums, they get depressed, and even commit suicide.
There has never been a time when life wasn’t tough. I think it was tougher those days. I listen to my father and many of his generation tell me how they suffered just to pay their school fees through school, given that their fathers were not even educated. They survived.
The murmurings of the children of Israel revealed the depths of their lack of appreciation for God, a failure to look beyond their immediate circumstances (impatience), and a deep-seated sense of entitlement.
These are sadly the same traits we see in the children of my generation; experts in complaining and murmuring; professionals in ranting all day on social media, insulting government officials without offering meaningful solutions or creative ideas.
Let us teach our children to cultivate rich soils by instilling in them the virtues of trusting in God, the discipline of hard work, the willingness to follow the more difficult path, and the beauty of patience.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help us to realise that by changing the soil (the foundation), we can change our fruits. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Wednesday of week 16 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Exodus 16:1-5.9-15, Psalm 78 and Matthew 13:1-9).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu