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A hundredfold, sixty, thirty...

THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Wednesday of16th week in Ordinary time, 2022

Jer1:1, 4-10

Ps 71

Matt 13:1-9

A hundredfold, sixty, thirty...

 

Dear friends in Christ, at the beginning of every sowing season, the prayer of every farmer is to end the season on a high. At the beginning of every new business or endeavor, the entrepreneur hopes for the best. At the beginning of the school session, parents and kids alike pray for resounding success. The athlete begins his preparation for a competition with the hope of coming out the best among fellow competitors. No one prays to turn out a failure in anything he sets himself/herself to do in life. Why should anyone venture down any path at all, except in a quest for success and glory?

 

Today's first reading comes from the book of the prophet Jeremiah (1:1,4-10) and comes as an introduction to the works and vocation of the prophet. Jeremiah lived and prophesied about a hundred years after Isaiah (626/627 BC). He has been considered by various authors as the greatest prophet of the Babylonian period. He was active during the reigns of the last five kings of Judah(40years). This was at a time when Assyria was no longer the dominant power it used to be, and was on its way to disintegration. Babylon was on the other hand on the rise. Judah was then caught in between the two powers of a waning superpower and a rising powerful nation, a political situation that affected the mission of Jeremiah.

 

Today's selection deals with the call of the prophet, and his reluctance at accepting the call when he said, "Ah Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." God's assurance was that he knew Jeremiah and had chosen him before he was born.  "Do not say I am a youth, for all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid, for I am there to deliver you."

 

The gospel of today(Matthew13:1-9) begins with a new set of instructions given by Jesus to his disciples. There are seven parables in this section, four addressed to the people and three mainly to the disciples. Today's parable of the sower is, therefore, preparation for how people receive the message of the kingdom. Some seeds fell on the edges of the path, others among thorns while some were on patches of rock. These were naturally prevented from producing anything because the conditions were not right or favorable. Some, however, "fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty and some thirty." It is interesting to note that even those on good soil did not all products to the maximum. We must be very watchful too. Why should anyone who is a Christian fall short of bearing fruit a hundredfold? Get rid of evil deeds. Coming to the church must not be a routine, it must be a daily renewal of our lives so that we may produce the fruits of the kingdom.

 

Let us pray: Lord gives us the courage to stay close to you daily and renewed by the Eucharist and your loving presence in our lives produces the right fruits for your kingdom. Amen. 

+Remain blessed

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