HOMILY FOR THE 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A. (4)

HOMILY FOR THE 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

THEME: THE WORD OF GOD.

BY: Rev. Sylvanus Amaobi.

(1st Reading, Is. 55: 10-11; 2nd Reading, Rom. 8:18-23; Gospel, Matt. 13:1-23)

Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

*THE PURPOSE OF THE WORD OF GOD*

The Lord says that His word would not return to Him void and without accomplishing the purpose for which it was spoken. It is like the rain and snow, which cannot come down and return to the heavens without watering the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats. The word of God, therefore, must achieve the end for which it was sent.

The purpose of the word of God includes but is not limited to these:- It illuminates the mind about God, His nature, His attributes, and His will. The word of God reveals to man God’s identity. It challenges the heart to conversion and the love of God and also cultivates the human heart for God. The word of God gives life to the soul. Real and true life comes from obedience to the word of God. Jesus says, “Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). And in another passage, He says, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit, and they are life” (Jn. 6:63).

*IS YOUR HEART A FERTILE GROUND FOR GOD’S WORD?*

It should be noted that for the word of God to have the desired effects, the heart must be disposed to receive it. The heart must be made fertile for it. The disposition of the heart is a personal responsibility of every individual recipient of the word of God. When the heart is disposed of and made fertile for the word of God, it produces abundant fruits. On the other hand, the inability to dispose of the heart and makes it fertile for the reception of the word of God has disastrous effects. It destroys the soul and makes it unproductive and unfruitful. The parable of the sower and its explanation, as narrated by Jesus in the Gospel, illustrates this.

The most pertinent question we should ask ourselves is, Are our hearts disposed and made fertile for planting the word of God? Jesus talked about the seed (representing the word of God) that fell on stony, rocky, and thorny grounds, which either never had a root or was choked at its early germination stage. Do we belong to this class? Do we have a stony, rocky, thorny, or choky heart? If we are unforgiving, unmerciful, harbor hatred, bear a grudge, show wickedness, or act in a similar manner, then we have a stony and choky heart. Such a heart can never allow the word of God planted in it to germinate.

Jesus equally talked about seeds (representing the word of God) that fell on the fertile ground, which produced abundant fruits. Do we belong to this group? Do our actions suggest that? If we have love in us, are ready and willing to forgive one another, show kindness and perform charitable deeds; if the word of God elicits joy and brings excitement to us; if we are eager to do things for God and His Church and do good deeds because of God, then our hearts are fertile grounds for the word of God.

Jesus Christ concludes the Gospel by saying that blessed are our eyes for what they see and our ears for what they hear because many Prophets and righteous people longed to see what we see but did not see and to hear what we hear but did not hear. We still have the opportunity for personal introspection and conversion. Let us not undermine the opportunity.

Always remember that Jesus loves you!

FOR MORE HOMILIES CLICK >>>>>>