DAILY HOMILIES #seeds

On the day of our baptism, God admitted us into his kingdom, and we now answered the name Christian. However, as time went on, Satan succeeded in sowing very bad seeds into some of us, and instead of bearing fruits, we became weeds (useless plants) growing within God’s kingdom. But remember, even weeds have the potential to transform into wheat with God’s mercy and our sincere efforts.

Jesus taught that while the manna was earthly food (never satisfies), the bread from heaven truly satisfies. The people said: “Give us this bread always.” Jesus replied: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35). In other words, to have Jesus is better than having the whole world.

Let us ask ourselves: “Where I am right now?” That is, which type of soil defines my current spirituality? Once we answer this question, we will know what to do. We all can produce great fruits for God’s kingdom. Think of Sts. Paul, Matthew, Peter, Mary Magdalene, etc. If they are saints today, you, too, can be a saint.

Our actions, like fruits, are the consequences of the tree that grows in us (our thoughts and desires). Do you want your life to produce good fruits? Start by sincerely examining your conscience. To pull out a tree, you must acknowledge its presence. Sometimes, we judge others, yet when faced with the same temptations, we do worse than those we condemn.

Our Responsorial Psalm today sings: “The Law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye… They are more precious than gold than a heap of purest gold.”

God is patient, but we must not take His patience for granted. Jesus wasn’t speaking in parables when he spoke about the furnace of fire where men will weep and gnash their teeth. Jesus mentioned this “furnace of fire” while explaining the wheat and weeds parable. There comes a time when the reapers will enter the farm and gather the weeds; then, it will be too late. Repent now while it is possible.

The question we must ask ourselves today is: “Am I a weed in God’s kingdom?” Let us join Jeremiah in today’s first reading to ask for God’s mercy that we may no longer be weeds but good seed.

The question is: Which category do I belong? Do I let God’s Words find root in my daily life? Do I tell myself, it is impossible to obey God? Do I love riches (mammon) more than God?

My heart really goes out to those seeds that fell on rocky ground. These are really good Christians who are so excited about the things of God but lack roots in them. They cannot withstand trial because they are sweet-sweet-milk-and-sugar Christians.