Daily Catholic Reflection: July 24, 2020, Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A.

Jeremiah 3: 14-17,

PSALM: Jeremiah 31: 10.11,

Matthew 13: 18-23 Full Readings

Saint Sharbel Makhluf

 Which type of a Christian are you?

Today's Gospel presents to us the image of a sower who went to sow. Some seeds fell on the path and were pecked by the birds, some on the rocky ground and were scorched by the sun, some in the thorns and withered because of lack of roots and others on good soil and brought forth a hundredfold. Surprisingly, Jesus meant how we receive the word of God and how we allow it to bear fruit in our lives.

These four types of soil represent four types of hearts that Christians have in relation to how we receive the word of God. What type of the heart do you have in relation to receiving and growing of the word of God?

We shouldn’t become indifferent to God’s word like the seed that fell on the footpath; or become superficial in our faith like the seed that fell on rocky ground; or become too attached to the world of money, fame, power or riches like the seed that fell among thistles. But rather, we should always be strong in faith, focused, persevering and capable of bearing abundant fruits of truth, goodness and beauty befitting God’s kingdom.

We are accustomed to seeing the effects of Advertising. When youngsters see ways of dressing or combing their hair in films or on TV, they imitate them immediately and easily because they have passion for them. But, Why is the Gospel so slow in entering our hearts? Jesus tells us that it depends on the soil. This soil is our hearts, the way we open our hearts to the word of God is the way it bears fruit in our lives. If we open them wide open for the word of God to enter and rule, then we shall bear much fruits but if we close them, then, we shall bear no fruit. 

What makes us receive the word of God and live it and on the other hand what takes away that Word from us. Jesus tells us that some seeds are pecked up by birds, others scorched by the sun, and others choked by thistles or thorns. What are my pecking birds, my scorching sun, my choking thistles which annihilate the seed Jesus sows in me? Realising these will enable us appreciate the Word of God more and allow it to take effect in our lives. 

Brethren, Jesus sowed a seed in us and is always sowing in us. This seed is the Word of God. As a sower expects rich harvest after sowing, so is Jesus expecting the fruits of His seed down in us. At last, there must be something you and I can show to the Lord with pride and gratitude: ‘Look, this is the seed you gave me; it has grown, developed, and here is your harvest’. Jesus, too, reflected on his mission to establish his Father’s sovereignty on earth. Jesus, too, got depressed and wondered if he was getting anywhere. It was only when he had failed utterly, alone, deserted and tortured, that his perseverance won the crown. Jesus doesn’t want the successful; He wants the failures as His followers  and that is where the harvest lies. God calls us back and helps us when we fall through His word as we see in the first Reading. Provided we heed to His word all will be well with us. 

Reflect today on what type of Christian you are.  Do you put effort to understand the word of God so that Evil will not take it away from you as birds peck seeds which fall on pathways? Does the Word of God have roots in you or it will be scorched by the sun as seeds on the rock? Do you allow worldly lures and pleasures choke the seed of the word of God in you? Are the good soil where the word of God flourishes and produces fruits? Pray for the spirit to make the word of God flourish in you.

Let us pray.

Lord, by grace, let nothing take away, scorch or choke the seed of the Word of God you planted in me. May it produce fruit in me so that whoever sees my good works may give praise to Father in heaven. Amen

Be blessed