Homily

In our faith life, it seems that we get frustrated because we aren’t growing as Jesus told us would happen. Let me offer an illustration to further explain what may be happening to many of us...

Explain that good plant care requires special attention. First it needs to be watered. Bring out a plant and begin to water it with coffee, Pepsi, or vinegar (something other than water). Explain that the plant should be kept clean and even dusted frequently... spray Simple Green on it to clean it followed by furniture polish. Then explain that a healthy plant is a perky plant which stands straight. Proceed to spray it with hair spray. Then make note that a sign of health is how green the plant is and that this particular plant is in need of help. Proceed to spray it with green spray pain being careful not to get the paint all over the floor (have a throw tarp on the floor before beginning this exercise). Finally, pull out a silk plant and note that maybe I should only tend to things for which I am gifted.

Obviously I did some things wrong. While I had the best of intentions, I was mislead to think that what I thought was best for the plant was going to truly help it. But, left to my own thinking, I was wrong. This illustration might give us some insight into today’s message.

You see, Jesus is trying to tell us that the seed, we who are given the gift of faith, are given a gift which needs to be taken care of and nurtured. The sower is God who is the giver of the gift. God scatters us into this world at a certain place and a certain time. The parable begs the question, “what kind of soil do you nurture in order that your faith may grow?” Is it a path which will never let it grow and maybe even die? Is it rocky ground that will only let your faith get to a certain place and then wither at the first sign of trouble or doubt? Or is it fertile ground which is strong, able to weather the storms of life, grow, and even be so vibrant that others will be lead to do the same?

God desires that we all put our faith in him. But, what do you do to nurture your life of faith? Do you fill it with chemicals that only destroy? Do make sure that your outer appearance looks clean and presentable while the inside is dying? Do you put on fake smiles and pretend to be a good Christian so as to deceive everyone meanwhile you are not being truly fed on the inside?

You or I may do some or all of these things. In as much as we do, our sin kills our bodies little by little. But, Jesus gave us his Church in order to truly till the soil and nurture our lives of faith. He gave us the Sacraments which transmit his powerful grace in order to heal us and enlighten us. Participate in the gifts of Christ. Come to the table of the Eucharist and feed on his life. Receive forgiveness for your sins by coming to Reconciliation. Pray everyday. Read your bible before you go to bed or before you begin your day. Love your neighbor and your enemies alike. Seek mercy and compassion for all who you encounter. Tend to the needs of the poor. Offer your life as a sacrifice to the Lord of all life. Do these things so that the garden of your life will bring forth an abundant harvest that “yields a hundred or sixty or thirty fold.”