Scripture readings for this reflection can be found Friday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time | USCCB
In our
gospel for today the Lord is comparing the Kingdom of God to that of seeds
being scattered and growing day by day. The farmer is unaware of how this will
happen. He would do his part to nurture the seed by watering and cultivating
the ground and allowing the sun to do its part in order for the seeds to grow
into full plants, rising towards the sun. The Lord also mentions the mustard
seed going from the smallest seeds to the largest of plants.
The
seeds mentioned in today’s gospel is comparable to that of our faith in God.
The seed was planted at our baptism, whether we were baptized as children or as
adults, the seed was planted in us when the water was poured over us and the
words of baptism was said by the priest or deacon. Our faith at the time of
baptism is small and needs nurturing for it to grow. It is through those around
us that our faith is watered and we can grow in relationship with the Lord. As
we grow and mature in our faith, we need to take an active part in cultivating
it by the regular study of scripture and the precepts of the church. It is
through regular study that we can come to a better understanding of who the
Lord is in our life and our relationship with Him.
Further,
the regular use of the sacraments, such as receiving Holy Communion often, or
going to confession on a regular basis can keep our faith alive and growing.
This will be pleasing to God. This is how the Kingdom of God will grow within
us and we can get closer to the Lord Jesus.
Further,
our own lives can be “seeds” for other people in their faith journey to the
Lord. By sharing our faith with others, or by simply praying for them, it will
help the kingdom of God grow in them.
Let us
continue to grow in our faith by turning to God daily to lead us closer to him.
Let us always be open to how God is talking to us through scripture and with
His Sacraments. It will be then that we can grow in a way pleasing to God.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteVery good homily.
In addition to prayer, study & the sacraments. I would add SERVICE and COMMUNITY.
When I waa in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal I participated in LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS. One of the final talks--after people were prayed over to experience greater commitment to the LORD,, greater openness to the work of the Holy Spirit & a greater outpouring of the gift & fruit of the Holy Spirit--was about GROWTH & TRANSFORMATION & it referred to 4 "WHEELS"; PRAYER, STUDY, COMMUNITY & SERVICE.
From Arlene B. Muller (cond't). COMMUNITY is very important. We are not only called to a personal prayer life, but we are called to participate in communal prayer, especially at Mass, liturgy, the public prayer of the Church. As Catholic Christians we have an obligation, as well as a privilege, to participate at Sunday Mass, whether on Sundays or at the anticipatory Mass on Saturday in the late afternoon or evening & on holidays of obligation. Our LORD wants ALL His children to join together as brothers & sisters to praise & worship Him & to participate in celebrating & receiving His gift of Himself in the Eucharist & in the Sacred Mysteries of His life, death & Resurrection.
ReplyDeleteEven in the early Church in at least one of the epistle (letter to the Hebrews?) there is an admonition not to neglect the assembling of one another. We need to remember to take this seriously.
It is also very beneficial if we can join together with brothers & sisters in smaller groups to pray together, to share our faith & our lives & to learn to love, serve & help one another. Sometimes we can find that our brothers & sisters we come to know as family can become a very important part of our lives & they can help us in times of need & we can help them in their time of need.
We also grow through SERVICE. GOD has given us natural gifts, talents & abilities & we also receive spiritual gifts & fruits of the Holy Spirit with which we are called to serve one another & the Church. GOD wants to help us discover, cultivate & use these gifts for His glory, our own edification & fulfillment & to serve one another & the Church. In serving we can be helped to become all that GOD has created us to be. Personally most of my greatest joy & fulfillment in life comes from using my gifts & working with others in Church ministry.
So PRAYER, LITURGY, THE SACRAMENTS, COMMUNITY, & SERVICE are all ways we can grow in our Christian lives & build up the Kingdom of GOD.