YEAR A: HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (3)

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: HOW WE TAKE THE WORD OF GOD

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY: (Mk. 4:1-20) Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

In todays’ Gospel Jesus tells the parable of the sower. This maybe the only parable which Jesus Himself explained. I need not repeat the symbolism. The message is also true. What we do with the Word of God will determine our benefits from it. If we take it for granted, doubt it, or weakly hold on to it, it is bound to lose its great effect on our lives. But if we dispose ourselves to listen to the word, understand it and live it, will bear much fruit in us.

At times we blame the preacher and we forget the listener. The worst situation is the combination of a poor listener and a poor preacher. Better would be a good preacher and a poor listener. Still better is a poor preacher but a good listener. The best would be a good listener and a good preacher. We cannot control the preacher. We can control ourselves by disposing to listen. We can spend time finding a good preacher. It is a luxury we have. But if we don’t, we should not be shortchanged by the lack of them but save it by disposing ourselves to listen. It is very similar to reading book, watching a movie or listening to the radio. If we are interested, it will be an exciting experience. If we are half-hearted, it will not only be boring but also a struggle.

Let us not forget that Jesus preached during His time. Many were attracted and touched by His preaching. But there were still those who did not understand. Their attitude towards Jesus negated Jesus’ good preaching. Or, they simply had closed their minds on Him that they missed and even misinterpreted His message. Those who listened were converted. Those who did not listen even committed the fatal mistake and blunder of crucifying Him. Jesus, the Word of God Himself, the ultimate and perfect preacher was rejected and was not effective to a people with hard hearts and close minds.

No doubt, many of us had heard the Word of God, whether from Jesus or from preachers. The parable stressed on what we have done with the Word. Were our hearts and minds good soil to the seed that is the Word?