Readings:
Is 55:10-11; Rom 8:18-23; Matt 13:1-23
The sower, the seed, the
soil, the harvest are the metaphors that help us to capture the central message
of this Sunday readings. The readings invite us to reflect on Christ the Sower
of God’s Word. The Prophet Isaiah in the First Reading speaks about the
effectiveness of God’s Word. Like the rain and snow, which do not return
without watering the earth, so too the Word that comes from the mouth of God does
not fail. Isaiah’s message in the first reading is a prelude to the Gospel of
today about the parable of the Sower. Just as the rain waters the land, showing
us how God’s Word brings about the desired results, similarly the parable of
the Sower reveals to us the dynamic power of God’s Word. Isaiah’s message
contains an important aspect of conversion, so that the Word of God, like the
rain may shower upon our hardened hearts making them “fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats.” The First
Reading therefore helps to interpret the parable of the Sower in the Gospel. One
interpretation is that many people who hear the Gospel simply never seem to
“get it.” The message is stolen from them by the enemy before it takes root. Let
me illustrate that interpretation with some statistics. There are about 50% of
our Catholic kids who receive the Sacraments but disappear between age 18 to
35, only to reappear later for marriage. Why is that? Inadequate faith
formation fails to equip them to take the heat and pressure of our secular
culture. Then there are about 89% of lifelong, regular church goers who,
according to George Gallup, have values and lifestyle identical to those of
their secular neighbors. Their faith has been so neutralized by inadequate
faith formation and a focus on worldly preoccupation. Though they look like
Catholics, their faith practice is fruitless. Then there are those who remain
faithful, going regularly to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They manage to do
some good for some people, but in all produce only a mediocre harvest in life.
Finally there are those who yearn to learn more about their faith. They sink
their roots in Scripture, Tradition, prayer and the sacraments. These produce
an abundant harvest. Jesus wants all of us, not just some to yearn for more so
that we all may produce a bumper crop.
The Gospel message, helps us
to understand that despite apparent ineffectiveness of some of the seeds
planted, in the end the Church will be successful in its evangelization. In the
midst of disappointments, our labor will in the end bear abundant fruit. Despite
the obstacles the Church faces in America and elsewhere, mysteriously the
Church continues to grow. One good example is China where the Catholic
population continues to grow. A
recent Catholic News Service story reported that the number of Catholics in
China has risen from 3 million in 1950 to 15 million today. So what message do we take home this Sunday? 1) The readings
intend to inspire us to look beyond failure even in our own lives, because God’s
Word will in the end bear fruit despite failure; despite obstacles. 2) The
readings also challenge us to be effective instruments of God’s Word by
nourishing our faith, so that God’s transforming power may work through us and
bear fruit even in our weakness. 3) Despite apparent ineffectiveness, our
efforts will in the end bear abundant harvest for Christ, because God is in
charge.
©2017 John S. Mbinda
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