Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

15^th Sunday of the Year – July 12, 2020

Readings: Is. 55:-10-11; Responsorial Psalm Ps 64:10-14(R.1); 

Rom 8:18-23 & Gospel Matthew 13:1-23.

Theme: Being Doers of the Word!

Sunday Synopsis

In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah reveals how the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and does not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the Sower and bread for the eating. In the second reading St. Paul reveals that what we face in this life is nothing compared to the glory which awaits us. The Parable of the Sower reveals how a Sower went out to sow and some seeds fell along the path on hard soil, others fell on rocky soil, some fell on thorns and still, others fell on good soil and produced its fruits. We are challenged to allow the Word of God produce abundant fruits in our lives.

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today we are presented with the Parable of the Sower otherwise known as the Parable of the Four Soils. The Penny Catechism defines a parable as “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” Jesus often used parables to teach the values of the kingdom. This is because he wanted to communicate with his audience in a manner that they would understand. The Parable of the Sower is found in Matthew 13:3-9; Mark 4:2-9 and Luke 8:4-8 while its interpretation is given in Matthew 13:18-23; Mark 4:13-20 and Luke 8:11-15. Titled “Being Doers of the Word,” our reflection urges us to be doers of the Word, not only hearers.” Our liturgy which challenges to “Walk the Talk,” shall highlight Jesus’ interpretation of the Parable of the Four Soils and summary and background of the readings in light of pastoral lessons.

Four Types of Soil: Jesus’ Interpretation

1. Hard Soil: According to the narrative, some seed fell on hard soil by the way side. This prevented the seeds from sprouting. Apparently, they became food for the birds of the air.

2. Stony Soil: There were also seeds that found themselves on stony ground. Because there was no enough soil for the seeds to germinate, they began to grow but could survive for “lack of depth.” The conclusion was obvious – since the plants did not take roots, they were withered by the sun.

3. Thorny Soil: Accordingly, the seed that feel on thorny soil grew but the competing thorns choked and killed them.

4. Good Soil: Some seeds fell into rich soil and produced its fruit. The good ground which received the seeds produced fruits in plenty.

Summary and Background of the Readings

In the first reading (Is. 55:-10-11), the Prophet Isaiah reveals how the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and does not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the Sower and bread for the eating.  It reveals how the Word which goes forth from the Mouth of the Lord does not return to Him empty without carrying out His will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.

In the second reading (Rom. 8:18-23), St. Paul reveals that what we face in this life is nothing compared to the glory which awaits us. He further discloses that creation is groaning in expectation of when it would give birth as we wait for our bodies to be set free. It encourages us to hold our heads high as we await our redemption.

The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23) reveals how a Sower went out to sow and some seeds fell along the path on hard soil, others fell on rocky soil, some fell on thorns and still, others fell on good soil and produced seeds of 30, 60 and a 100 fold. Accordingly, Jesus’ explanation of the parable highlights four different responses to the gospel. It is crucial to note that the Seed is “the Word of the Kingdom.” Jesus speaks to the heart of our reception of God’s Word which is often determined by the condition of our hearts. It also calls us to understand that salvation goes beyond hearing the Word and deceiving ourselves. On the contrary, it urges us to transcend the superficial delight of hearing the gospel to allowing it make fruits in our lives.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Understand the Word: Since the hard ground represents those who are hardened by sin because they hear the Word but do not understand it and that is why the devil steals the message from their hearts, we are urged to seek a true understanding of the Word of God in order that the devil might dull our hearts and prevent it from making any reasonable impact in their lives.

2. Reawaken Your Conscience: All hardened sinners especially those whose who have made their hearts a shopping mall for Satan should ask the Holy Spirit to assist them in reawakening their dead consciences so that as soon as they hear the Word of the Kingdom, the evil one would not snatch it away from their hearts.

3. Don’t be a Soft Target for the Devil: Those involved in ritual killing, occultic movements as well as other dubious activities in order to make it in life should realise that if they harden their hearts to hearing the Word and putting it into practice, they would forever remain soft targets for the devil.

4. Beware of Troubles: Because the stony ground represents supposed followers of Christ who profess the Word happily but it doesn’t change their hearts, Christians should beware of trials, tribulations and temptations otherwise, when troubles arise, their so-called faith would vanish quickly without practical impact in daily lives.

5. Pray for Lapses/former Christians:  We are urged to pray for lapsed or former Catholics who were in the rank and file of the Church officials of lay groups or clerics and were often delighted at the reception of the Sacraments but are now cold in the faith, have left the Church or are counter-witnessing so that the Lord of the harvest may restore them to the fold.

6. Guard Against Lures of the World: Like the thorny soil represented by those who hear the Word but allow the lures of the world to kill it like the rich young man in the bible (Mark 10:17-27), the thorny ground depicts people who seem to receive the Word but their hearts are full of thoughts of riches, pleasures and vain lust - we are charged to watch against what St. Thomas Aquinas describes in his Summa Theologica as concupiscence of the eyes or causes of sin so that they don’t take our time and attention away from the Word in a way that we would end up having no time for God.

7. Embrace the Life of the Spirit: Those who have taken to the lust of the flesh or material possessions especially 419ers, scammers, Yahoo-Yahoo, commercial kidnappers as well as porn stars, prostitutes, paedophiles, adulterers, fornicators, masturbators, homosexuals, lesbians and those engaged in other bestial acts are urged to embrace the life of the Spirit so that the Word of God would produce fruits in their lives.

8. Be like the Good Soil: Since the good soil represents those who hear, understand and keep the Word, we are encouraged to allow the Word to accomplish its results in our lives through both verbal and actionable witnessing bearing in mind that only those who represent the “good soil” would be saved.

Summary Lines

1. In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah reveals how the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and does not return without watering the earth.  

2. In the second reading (Rom. 8:18-23) St. Paul reveals that what we face in this life is nothing compared to the glory which awaits us.

3. He further discloses that creation is groaning in expectation of when it would give birth.

4. Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower highlights four different responses to the gospel.

5. It is crucial to note that the Seed is “the Word of the Kingdom.”

Conclusion

That the good soil and produces seeds of 30, 60 and a 100 fold justify the saying: “If you want to get to heaven, aim at the stars.” As expressed earlier, like the good soil which represents those who hear, understand and keep the Word, we are encouraged to allow the Word to accomplish its results in our lives through both verbal and actionable witnessing. After all, the bible says: “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matthew 3:7-8; 7:15-20). May God help us grow in faith, in a manner that our lives would be the “good soil,” which will reap fruits - a hundredfold. Amen.