Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
All of last week, the entire nation has been glued to the Casey Antony case. Not that there are other things to worry about like the debt ceiling of the nation, but the public likes mystery and intrigue. When Casey was acquitted, there was public outrage at the verdict. Somehow, there are so many questions left unanswered. And then there is the child who never got to live. But, look also at the effect that one person and her life can have on not just the family, but rather, all of society. The Casey Antony case made me think of my own life and actions and the impact they can have on other people. I could not help but think of this as I read today’s readings.
To let today’s reading affect us in the deepest way, we need to understand and bring together three elements: a) God’s word, which Isaiah says in today’s first reading, does not return void to God but does the will for which it is sent; b) creation, which Paul says in today’s second reading, was subjected to futility and is groaning in labor pains for redemption; and c) the different kinds of soils, which in today’s gospel reading Jesus says, can either help a seed bear fruit or whither.
First, let us explore the meaning of the phrase, “my word.” On the one hand, the word is God’s spoken word. Scripture has ample instances of God speaking. In the act of creation, for example, God said, “Let there be light” and there was light. And then, God speaks to individuals. For example God spoke to Abraham and Moses. But then God also spoke through people like Isaiah or Jeremiah. Today’s first reading is just an example. The main thing to remember in all of this is that God and God’s word are one. God is not different from God’s word. We know this even more because Jesus was the Word of God in human flesh. Jesus is the Word of God.
Second let us explore what Paul means by the term, creation. By creation, Paul was referring to the natural world apart from human beings. He understood that in the creation stories the natural world is the essential context within which human life must be lived. Even though creation is considered apart from human being, there is an integrally connected to them. That is why Paul says that “creation was subjected to futility” because when the first human beings sinned, not only were they banned from the garden, but all of creation was cursed. So now, Paul says, just as human beings wait for redemption, so does the natural world, because the fate of the natural world is intimately connected to ours.
The third element is the different kinds of soils mentioned in the gospel. Scripture scholars tell us that there is a surprise message in the way Jesus told this parable. Palestinian farmers would be careful so that the seed would not fall where it would be wasted because they did not have enough to waste. Rather, Jesus was actually talking about the God’s generosity by the image of the seed falling of different kinds of soil. God does not hold back God’s word from anyone, rather, God’s words is available to all kinds of people, just like Jesus was available to all. In fact, the seed bore more fruit in tax collectors and sinners than in what was supposed to be the fertile soil of the Pharisees and scribes.
How can apply these three elements to our life? Here are my three practical implications:
1. If God and God’s word are one; if God created the world by God’s word; if, as Isaiah says, God’s word shall not return to God void, but shall do God’s will, then, today’s readings are a special invitation to us to take God’s word and bring to its rightful place in our lives. For example, I think, in our homes, the Word of God should be kept in a central place specially created for the Word. It is as if, each home should have a tabernacle, to which we can turn for prayer, for guidance, for wisdom, for power and strength for each day. When there are troubles, it should be the Word we turn to, and when there is joy, it should be the Word we should be grateful to. Somehow, we must get it into our subconscious that God’s Word is powerful, awesome, and life-giving. Especially for a disciple, the Word must be at the very center of his or her being.
2. Let us talk about creation that waits for its redemption. Today’s readings seem to help us understand that our most private acts have global effects. I wonder if Adam and Eve knew what the global impact of that one act of eating from the tree would be. Had they known the effects, would have done what they did? By one action, all of creation was subjected to futility. But we know better than they did. Those of us who followed the Casey Antony case, we realize what impact the simple choices we make have on other people, on society, and as Paul says, on creation itself. If the fate of creation and people around us is so intimately connected to ours, it should make us aware of the immense responsibility we have in making choices that are redeeming choices. If we live by God’s word, like Jesus did, then we can be assured that our life will be a redeeming life.
3. And finally, let us talk about the different kind of soils. This week would be a good week to examine our lives to see how much influence God and God’s word has in our lives. The way I see it, different areas of my life represent different kinds of soil. There are some areas where the soil is rich and God’s word does bear abundant fruit. There are other areas where I could do better. Hopefully there are no areas where I am completely immune to God. This week, let us examine if there areas in our lives those are contrary to God’s commandments? Are all the aspects of our lives – our relationships, our finances, our social life, our thinking, our talking and our acting in alignment with God’s Word? What areas of our lives are rocky and have thistles that need some fertile soil?
We have just heard God’s word. What will we do with these words this week? On what kind of soil are these words falling on right now? As we prepare to receive Christ the eternal word of God in bread and wine, may our lives become the fertile soil in which Christ and his words can take root. May God’s word accomplish in our lives what ii was set out to do. Amen.
_ Fr. Satish Joseph