Friday 16 September 2016

Clear the ground: Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (17th September, 2016).


Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (17th September, 2016) on the Gospel

(Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bp. D., or BVM on Saturday, Opt Mems)

 

1Cor 15:35-37.42-49;
Ps 55:10-14. (R. cf. v. 14);
Lk 8:4-15.
Topic: Clear the ground.
Today’s gospel covers the parable of the sower (Lk 8:4-8), its purpose (Lk 8:9-10), and its explanation (Lk 8:11-15).
As a sower sowed his seed, some fell on the path where they were trampled on, and the birds ate them up. The ones on the rock withered for lack of moisture. Those among thorns were choked. Only the seeds in good soil produced a hundredfold. Jesus warns, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” He spoke in parable so that “looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.”
The seed is the word of God. Seeds on the path are those the devil takes away the word from their hearts lest they believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those in whom the word has no root though they received it with joy. They do not stand trials. The seeds among thorns are those the word they received is choked. And the seeds in good soil are those “when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.”
Whenever we hear or read God’s word, possibilities abounds. Their producing fruits or not is based mainly on us. Some who are aware of this only pray and wait for miracle. Praying is good but no one can fly with prayer alone. Prayer needs work and vice versa, cf. Jas 2:17, 26. The words of our prayer must be in tandem with our works.
God can turn the worst soil in us into the best, but He has given us the freedom to choose what we consider best for ourselves. He does not infringe into that freedom.  Let nobody give the devil opportunity, cf. Eph 4:27. Our brothers and sisters throughout the world suffer the same challenges, cf. 1Pt 5:9.
Bible Reading: Eph 4:25 – 5:2; Jas 4:7-10.
Thought for today: Are you a path, a rocky, a thorny or a good soil?
Let us pray: God, help us make our hearts habitable for your word – Amen.
You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.

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