Readings: 1 Cor. 15:35-37,42-49, Ps. 56:10-14, Luke 8:4-15
“To you, it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others, they are in parables so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.” (Luke 8:10)
Today’s readings drive home certain deep-seated theological truths through the analogy of farmers sowing seeds in expectation of harvest.
To refute the arguments of those who do not believe in the possibility of rising from the dead, St. Paul says, just as a seed is sown in the ground and dies first before producing a plant, so also when we die, our bodies decay. Still, at the resurrection, we shall have a more glorious appearance. This explains why Mary Magdalene could not recognise Jesus at the resurrection. She mistook her beloved Jesus for a gardener until he called her name.
Jesus makes the point that the word of God is like a seed a farmer sows across different soils. Normally, a farmer would prepare the ground, clear the grasses, remove the thorns and prepare the place before attempting to sow. Only a careless farmer goes about spreading the seeds everywhere freely, even on the road and on rocks. God’s carelessness in sowing the Good News may seem foolish to human understanding, but it shows His generosity. Everyone is given a chance to gain heaven. This is why you dare not restrict whom you preach to. Everyone deserves to hear the Gospel.
There are different hearts: the stony heart, the rootless heart, the distracted heart, and the rich heart. There are different ways people respond when they hear the word of God, but the beauty of it all is that the word of God is so powerful that in whatever heart it enters, it does not remain stale. Something must happen. The seed must grow. Whether it bears fruit eventually depends on us and the kind of reception we give to God’s words.
Let us pray: Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things, and, that we may feel the working of your mercy, grant that we may serve you with all our heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saturday of week 24 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: 1 Cor. 15:35-37,42-49, Ps. 56:10-14, Luke 8:4-15)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu