For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Second reading Romans 8:18-23
Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!”
Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’ With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: ‘You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn-and I would heal them.’
“But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Reflection
Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’ With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: ‘You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn-and I would heal them.’
“But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Reflection
By Jose Paulo Gonzales
It may be a little difficult to digest the reading for today because there are stern warnings about how we ought to act. Some have grown up set in their ways, although for people willing to be molded by God, Gospels like this come as a point to relearn; to rethink and rectify their ways.
In today’s Gospel, there are four ways to be: the first group consists of those who do not understand what the Kingdom of God is. The Kingdom of God has been likened to multiple parables, instead of being given directly, perhaps because its eternal reality would not be given justice by worldly analogies requiring definitive descriptions; but in our Catechism classes, we learn that the Kingdom of God is the reign of God. The reality of the reign of God may fly over the minds of some because of the allurements of the world—the temptations that snatch one away from understanding what is truly essential, and the deceit of the evil one—diversions the enemy uses for God’s people to have skewed perceptions of the Word. The people who do not understand make up the first group Jesus described.
Before we go off-tangent on what today’s Gospel means by those who do not understand, let us think about this some more. To understand may be a passive ability for some people. For some who are smart, to understand may come very easily. But what today’s Gospel means by those who do not understand are not those who cannot wrap their minds around God’s Word by will or ability. As eternally mysterious God is, no one can fully wrap his mind around God’s reality. What today’s Gospel means by those who do not understand are those who consciously close themselves off to God’s Word. To one who lacks understanding but is willing, the Bible says: the wisdom of the Lord comes generously to one who asks (James 1:5). If there is something we can learn from the first group, it is to repent, to be open, and to be malleable to God’s Word.
The second group consists of those who warmed up to the Word of God instantly, but as quickly as their joy came, their disinterest soon followed. This is because their interest was not made to develop roots. Those who do not solidify their relationship with God can be likened to the man who built his house on sand, not rock. The storm came, and his foundation soon faltered (Matthew 7:24-27). When one does not center his identity on God, he runs the risk of being swept all too easily by the machinations of the enemy. Hardships in this world and persecution from others may be enough to sway him from the faith. The second group reminds us to nurture and strengthen our relationship with God and His Word; To identify ourselves with Him faithfully.
The third group is made up of those who, while receptive to God’s Word, just like those in the second group, were swept easily by the cares of this world. This tendency for us to bombarded by the cares of this world may be difficult to detect because unlike other sins, it does not seem just as evil. It appears harmless. And this is why we should stand on-guard just the same. When we are snowed under with bills to pay, debts to reconcile, or other worldly concerns, it may be tempting to build a life centered on finances to insulate or protect us. But as the Kingdom of God is eternal, so we should set our sights, hearts, and minds on the eternality of God; everything of this world is transitory. God offers that which transcends anything of this world.
The first, second, and the third groups are not there simply for us to feel mighty over or demean, as when we fall on our guards, we could fall just as badly into the same behaviors. We are given these groups to signify what not to be, all the while savoring and emulating the fourth group—what we should be.
The fourth group is made up of the fruitful ones. These are the people who receive God’s Word, act on the Word, and bear fruit. These may be challenging to bear but rewarding and fulfilling to accomplish. It may be difficult an effort, but we have the Spirit who gives us strength to surpass ourselves and do the feats God calls us to carry out. Let us call out to God to help us in our need.
It may be a little difficult to digest the reading for today because there are stern warnings about how we ought to act. Some have grown up set in their ways, although for people willing to be molded by God, Gospels like this come as a point to relearn; to rethink and rectify their ways.
In today’s Gospel, there are four ways to be: the first group consists of those who do not understand what the Kingdom of God is. The Kingdom of God has been likened to multiple parables, instead of being given directly, perhaps because its eternal reality would not be given justice by worldly analogies requiring definitive descriptions; but in our Catechism classes, we learn that the Kingdom of God is the reign of God. The reality of the reign of God may fly over the minds of some because of the allurements of the world—the temptations that snatch one away from understanding what is truly essential, and the deceit of the evil one—diversions the enemy uses for God’s people to have skewed perceptions of the Word. The people who do not understand make up the first group Jesus described.
Before we go off-tangent on what today’s Gospel means by those who do not understand, let us think about this some more. To understand may be a passive ability for some people. For some who are smart, to understand may come very easily. But what today’s Gospel means by those who do not understand are not those who cannot wrap their minds around God’s Word by will or ability. As eternally mysterious God is, no one can fully wrap his mind around God’s reality. What today’s Gospel means by those who do not understand are those who consciously close themselves off to God’s Word. To one who lacks understanding but is willing, the Bible says: the wisdom of the Lord comes generously to one who asks (James 1:5). If there is something we can learn from the first group, it is to repent, to be open, and to be malleable to God’s Word.
The second group consists of those who warmed up to the Word of God instantly, but as quickly as their joy came, their disinterest soon followed. This is because their interest was not made to develop roots. Those who do not solidify their relationship with God can be likened to the man who built his house on sand, not rock. The storm came, and his foundation soon faltered (Matthew 7:24-27). When one does not center his identity on God, he runs the risk of being swept all too easily by the machinations of the enemy. Hardships in this world and persecution from others may be enough to sway him from the faith. The second group reminds us to nurture and strengthen our relationship with God and His Word; To identify ourselves with Him faithfully.
The third group is made up of those who, while receptive to God’s Word, just like those in the second group, were swept easily by the cares of this world. This tendency for us to bombarded by the cares of this world may be difficult to detect because unlike other sins, it does not seem just as evil. It appears harmless. And this is why we should stand on-guard just the same. When we are snowed under with bills to pay, debts to reconcile, or other worldly concerns, it may be tempting to build a life centered on finances to insulate or protect us. But as the Kingdom of God is eternal, so we should set our sights, hearts, and minds on the eternality of God; everything of this world is transitory. God offers that which transcends anything of this world.
The first, second, and the third groups are not there simply for us to feel mighty over or demean, as when we fall on our guards, we could fall just as badly into the same behaviors. We are given these groups to signify what not to be, all the while savoring and emulating the fourth group—what we should be.
The fourth group is made up of the fruitful ones. These are the people who receive God’s Word, act on the Word, and bear fruit. These may be challenging to bear but rewarding and fulfilling to accomplish. It may be difficult an effort, but we have the Spirit who gives us strength to surpass ourselves and do the feats God calls us to carry out. Let us call out to God to help us in our need.
Prayer
Abba, thank You that besides the fourth group in today’s Gospel, You gave us Jesus—the true model of faith and good works whom we should emulate. Thank You, also, for revealing to us Your Kingdom, so we could wait for it with good works and a joyfully expectant hope.
You have given us multiple stories that invite us all the more to anticipate the eternal life we are to share with You; please help us be like Jesus, growing to be more worthy of this promise as we take our walk in life.
You are glorious, Lord, and eternally loving; for these, may we be ever grateful.
In Jesus’ most holy Name, Amen.
Abba, thank You that besides the fourth group in today’s Gospel, You gave us Jesus—the true model of faith and good works whom we should emulate. Thank You, also, for revealing to us Your Kingdom, so we could wait for it with good works and a joyfully expectant hope.
You have given us multiple stories that invite us all the more to anticipate the eternal life we are to share with You; please help us be like Jesus, growing to be more worthy of this promise as we take our walk in life.
You are glorious, Lord, and eternally loving; for these, may we be ever grateful.
In Jesus’ most holy Name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Tell us what you feel...