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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