DAILY HOMILIES #Israelites

Applying today’s Gospel passage to the concept of parenthood, we can interpret the parable of the sower in this way: The soil represents the parents. While some parents provide a nurturing ground for their children to blossom, others are like rocky, thorny or roadside paths. Not minding the “nature-nurture argument”, we can never underestimate the importance of proper upbringing.

The real impact of slavery is not so much the physical wounds inflicted on people but the psychological destruction it brings within a person. The slave begins to think of himself in such low terms that he craves for and worships his master. This is the stage of surrender! In the presence of his master, he is overcome by fear. This type of fear gripped the Israelites in the presence of Pharaoh. They even asked Moses, “Where there no better tombs in Egypt that you brought us out here to die?”

Jesus expressed utter disappointment with the towns where most of His miracles had happened because, contrary to His expectations, the people remained stiff-necked in their sinful ways. Jesus performed countless miracles, He even raised the dead to life many times, but one miracle Jesus would not work is forcing anyone to repent. This “miracle” requires your active cooperation.

How often do we become too comfortable in a foreign land that we forget about our home? There is nothing wrong with seeking greener pastures abroad, but don’t forget your home. Like these Israelites, we too have come to love this world so that we forget we are only sojourners on earth.

When we start complaining, we soon fall into the temptation of speaking against God like these Israelites. The inability to count our blessings and believe God is leading us somewhere makes us talk about our situation as if God is some irresponsible father who doesn’t care. This was the attitude that merited the appearance of fiery serpents in the Israelite camp.

When we start complaining, we soon fall into the temptation of speaking against God like these Israelites. The inability to count our blessings and believe God is leading us somewhere makes us talk about our situation as if God is some irresponsible father who doesn’t care. This was the attitude that merited the appearance of fiery serpents in the Israelite camp.