Different Hearts, One Gospel.

Homily for September 23, 2017

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus gives us a parable of a sower who went out to sow seeds which eventually fell on different kinds of soils. It didn’t seem as if the sower in the parable did any form of clearing, digging or tilling before he began to sow, it was like he just went out with the seeds and allowed them to fall from his hands freely.

This parable of the sower reveals the carefree attitude that God has towards us his children. He does not select an audience, he does not have any favourites, he allows the seed of his word to fall freely into our hearts regardless of whether or not we have the capacity to accept his word and allow it bear fruits in us.

Our hearts represent the soil in which the seeds of God’s words are sown. And honestly, when we look at the variety of ways people respond to God’s word, we can see that there are indeed different types of soils.

There are some people who receive God’s words with so much enthusiasm especially when they are in the church, they become so emotional about the word of God but the moment they step out of the church, they turn into something else. They never practice what the word of God says. It is like the birds come and steal the word even before it takes root in their hearts.

There are some people who find it difficult to understand or believe God’s words. Their hearts are made of stone. They smile when they hear it and deep down within themselves, they tell themselves that it is IMPOSSIBLE to put it into practice. They have no roots in them, they are like seeds that fell on rock.

Again, there are some people who listen to God’s words with a sincere intention to practice it but they find themselves at crossroads given their deep seated quest for material prosperity. The desire to be rich by all means becomes an obstacle to them and prevents them from ever growing in the spiritual life. These are seeds that fall among thorns.

Finally, there are some who hear God’s words and allow it to take deep roots in them. They not only apply it to the last detail, they also set an example by their life thereby winning souls for God. Through them, a lot of people become converted to the faith. To this category belongs the Saints, an example of which is St. Padre Pio who we remember today.

Now, I must ask myself: Which category do I belong? Is it not possible for me to change? Do I sincerely aspire to sainthood or do I consider some other things more important than achieving heaven? What is it that prevents me from putting God’s word into practice in my daily life? Can I not lay those things aside?

Before St. Padre Pio received the stigmata, he was a sincere seeker of holiness and never played with his prayer life. Indeed, it was while he was praying one day that he personally asked God to give him a share in the sufferings of Christ; a prayer which God gladly answered to his surprise. During his life, Padre Pio attracted millions of persons to conversion and deeper walk with God.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me cultivate a better soil in my heart for your word that it may bear fruits in my life. May I be an instrument of evangelization. Amen.

St. Padre Pio of Pietrecelna, pray for us.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study:  Timothy 6:13-16 and Luke 8:4-15)*


Fr. Abu.

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