Sunday Homily – 16 July 2023

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Also Read: Mass Readings for 16 July 2023 Mass Reading Reflection for 16 July 2023

Gospel: Matthew 13: 1-23

Seeds do not come free. They are selected and preserved with utmost care. No sensible farmer would waste it. A seasoned farmer knows the field well. He doesn’t come to the field just to sow the seeds; he would oversee preparing the field. When he sees the field is ready for the seeds, he takes the seed basket and begins to sow. If the field is large, he avails the help of his best colleagues to accomplish the job on time. He would not let his precious seeds waisted to feed the birds of the air, nor let it thrown over rocks and among thorns.

But, the sower of the parable is so generous to the point we can call him careless. He does so because we are not inanimate pieces of land. Jesus is talking of human hearts, and their ability to respond to the word of God. Many a hostile piece of land has turned good thanks to shine, shower, and untiring labors. If lifeless pieces of land can change, we too can change and produce better. That is the reason Jesus telling this parable. The word of God is showered without prejudice. If one remains unresponsive, it is by choice.

Midway through the reading, we see Jesus citing the prophet Isaiah, lamenting the people who widely shut their eyes and ears. The prophet is lamenting the people who deliberately shut their eyes and closed their ears so that the word of God does not penetrate into their lives. Jesus is repeating that criticism.

There is hope. We can be different. We can be responsive to the Word of God. If interested you can produce a hundred-fold from now on. Start from receiving the word of God with joy. Help yourself with the Word of God in plenty. It is there at home, on your table or shelf. It is there on your computer and your mobile phone. I am talking of the Bible. Help yourself by reading or listening to the Bible daily. Use any of the media, but help yourself with Bible every day.

The word of God is powerful. It can move mountains. It can turn hostile hearts into welcoming hearts. It can chase away Satan who comes to steal the word of God away. It can crush the stones to fine earth. It can remove the thorns in our hearts. So, help yourself generously with the Bible every day. Read it, listen to it, meditate on it, and pray over it.

Finally, be a colleague to the great sower. He has invited you when he said the harvest is plenty but labors are few. Spread the word of God without any prejudice. Don’t assume that someone is not worthy enough to receive the Word of God. If Saul can become St. Paul, and if Augustine the atheist could become St. Augustine, every man and woman has a chance. There is hope for everyone. Hence, don’t stop helping yourself with the Word of God, start serving the Word of God without any prejudice.

Amen.