Only But Be

“The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.
All who come to him will have life forever.”

Verse before the Gospel, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life might be? Perhaps this thought came at a time in your life where nothing you did seemed to be enough. Or maybe it came to you when everything in your life was going well. For Christians, this question is a little bit different. This question is posed within the context of a relationship: “What might God’s plan be for my life?” or “How will God’s will be done in my life?” For Christians, our purpose is not simply self-satisfaction or happiness, it is a joy that comes from unity and communion with each other and with God.

The Parable of the Sower as presented to us in this Sunday’s Gospel reading gives us some insight as to how we might be able to come to know our purpose in life. (First, always knowing that this purpose only makes sense within the context of a loving relationship). Jesus tells the people about seed that is scattered throughout different types of soil and earth and the outcome of those seeds. We are told that some seeds fell on the path and others among thorns, and even others on rocky ground and rich soil. The seeds on the path were eaten up, those on among thorns were choked, those on rocky ground sprouted but withered, and those on the soil grew and had manifolds of fruit. We are told in the verse before the Gospel that “the seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.” Hence, the type of land is the disposition of our hearts.

If we were to ask ourselves right now what type of soil can our hearts be compared to, what might we say? Are we the path who simply listens but does not ponder? Are we the rocky ground who at first is zealous and enthusiastic but later lose interest? Are we the garden of thorn bushes that allows the worldly things take over our lives? Are we the rich soil that is receptive and welcomes the nutrients that come our way? The type of soil that we till in our hearts will impact how we listen and how we respond to God, and as such, how we come to understand and know God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Like the soil, we only but need to “be,” and allow God to work within our hearts. God does not ask of us to be perfect before He reveals anything to us. In fact, as St. Paul tells us, Christ died for us while we were still sinners. God only asks that we but “be.” Be still and listen. Be still and hear His voice. Be still and allow His love to enfold you.

Once we have allowed God inside of hearts and allowed Him to tend to the gardens of our hearts, the seeds sown will slowly bear fruit. He will give us sunlight and water. And, He will fertilize the soil with rich nutrients — the grace that comes from the sacraments. We need only but to be and God will reveal Himself to us. When we have learned to listen well to Him, then we can go out and do the things that will lead us deeper in relationship with Him and with others.

Way to the Heart

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart."

Matthew 11:28-29a

If we are to bear the name of another or claim to be a follower or student of someone then our actions should reflect the spirit of the one after whom we follow. In schools I always remind the students that where ever they go, especially if they are in their uniforms, they are ambassadors of our school. They represent our school whether they want to or not, whether they think they are or not. They are the face of our school. Similarly, the receptionist, whether he or she likes it or not, is the face of the company and is the first face people will see, and as such should watch how the speak and respond for he or she gives the people their first impression of the company/office. Pastors and parish office workers are the face of the parish and by extension the face of the Church. How often do we hear of people leaving the parish or stop going to Church all together because they had a bad experience with either the pastor or someone from the parish? AND, whether we like it or not, each one of us are ambassadors of the Church and of Christ. If we call ourselves Christians then we must conform our hearts to Christ. What is the way to Christ’s heart?

Humility is the way to the heart of Jesus. In the first reading today (Sunday) we hear the Prophet Zechariah speak about our King and Savior, how he rides on an ass or donkey, a sign of humility. We see this fulfilled in Jesus as He entered into Jerusalem, yes on a donkey, nonetheless, triumphantly. In His humility, Christ carried out the Father’s will for Him, and the result of that is the conversion of hearts and the gift of salvation. It was the humility of Jesus that enabled the people to see His great love and mercy for them. It was in His humility where the people encountered Him. The way to another’s heart must be paved with humility because if it is not, our hearts will have no room for anyone else but ourselves and our needs.

Brothers and sisters, if we are to truly bear the name of Christ in calling ourselves Christians then we must conform our hearts to Christ, allowing humility to take the place of pride. If we do not know how to do this, Jesus tells us to look to Him and to go to Him, for His “yoke is easy and burden, light.” When we do go to Him, He will give us rest, and this rest will reveal to us His meekness and humility of heart. We are the face of Christ, and only a heart that is conformed to the heart of Jesus can reveal such a face. May we rest today in the embrace of the Lord and ask Him to make our hearts to be like His.

Fear No One

We can see how the Prophet Jeremiah is a “type” of Christ. He is plotted against and denounced because he was doing God’s work. Jeremiah preached to the Southern Kingdom and encouraged them to change their ways lest they fall like the Northern Kingdom fell. But the people did not want to hear it. I guess no one really wants to be told that they are going down the wrong path and to change their ways, but these people wanted to kill Jeremiah.

Perhaps there have been times in our lives when we felt not liked or unwanted for standing up for what we believe in or remaining true to our beliefs. In times such as these, we might feel unjustified, frustrated, and even all alone. But we know that we are not alone. Jesus tells His disciples, “Fear no one.” Not because they are invincible but because God is in control. That was true then and it is true today: God is in control. Whether good or bad, happy or sorrowful, everything and every situation that God permits to happen has a deeper and greater purpose than what it appears to be on the surface. This is especially hard to see in the face of tragedy.

God does not permit tragedies to happen because He is cold-hearted or because He wants to punish us but because even when out of our own free will and free choice we make bad decisions or others make bad decisions, God can bring good out of whatever consequence that should come. This good may not always be apparent and we may never even see it, but good always comes, whether for us or others, in this life or the next.

Brothers and sisters, with God watching over us and being in control, we truly do not need to fear anyone or anything. God will see us through the storms of our lives. God will walk with us through the dark valleys that frighten us. God remains with us always. Fear not!