FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A 23

15th SUNDAY, 16 JULY 2023: ISAIAH 55. 10-11; ROMANS 8. 18-23; MATTHEW 13. 1-23   Punch line: Fertile to fructify! ​Guideline: The fruitfulness of life is all a matter of receptivity and productivity, in terms of a conducive disposition and active cultivation and actualization   1.      Life is meaningful when it is truly fruitful. Many live meaninglessly because they fail to live that meaning and worth of life in bearing fruits. Real fruitfulness is a matter of spiritual fecundity. The parable of the Sower in the gospel discusses this issue of fruitfulness. 2.      Many fail to be fruit-bearing. What is the problem and what is the reason? The parable gives us the answer and thus the direction as well. The problem of not bearing fruit, is not of the seed. The seed is God’s Word, His grace, His gifts, His blessings. The seed is always the best, powerful and fecund. 3.      God never lacks in providing the good seed of His Word and His grace, gifts and blessings. Lord, the Eternal Sower continues to sow the seeds in all of us. He never fails us in His care and never lacks us in providing the required conditions and graces for our growth and productivity. 4.      This is what is affirmed in the first reading from Isaiah: Is. 55.10-11: His word is like rain which does not return to Him without effect. The grace of God always rains upon us. Rain descends on earth, irrigates it, nourishes it and makes life sprout up 5.      So, if the seed is excellent, if God’s grace is incessant and powerful, then why often not much effect is seen, and not much fruit is produced? It is because the growth and fruition of the seed depend upon the nature and quality of the soil that receives and nurtures the seed. 6.      Now, there are four types of soil which receive the same seeds. The extent of bearing fruits depends on the type of the soil, in terms of its disposition of being conducive, receptive and thus productive. 7.      What kind of soil are we?: Are we like the first soil of the road that has no permanence and stability, even to receive the seed, where absolutely there is no abiding, no retaining of the word, where the word does not even make an entry into the heart, where there is no taking root at all? 8.      Are we like the second soil, the rocky, that lacks the rootedness and depth, where the word finds no deep root, where the receptivity is shallow and peripheral, where the seed gets scorched by any little heat? 9.      Are we like the third soil, the thorny, that lacks the will to resist and persevere against the odd forces that choke and suffocate the growth, and thus easily succumbs to the deviated and distorted influences, where there are many worldly preoccupations and allurements, where the growth is choked by earthly inclinations and interests, and thereby no productivity? 10.   Or, are we like the last soil that is fertile, receptive and responsive, responsible and productive? 11.   Thus, ultimately, fruitfulness is a matter of one’s total receptivity to the seed of God’s Word and abundant productivity in fruits of good character and actions. Fruitfulness requires a docility that is humble and prompt (unlike the roadside soil), a depth that remains rooted and firm in God (unlike the rocky ground), resistance and perseverance to grow amidst bushes and thorns (unlike the thorny soil), and an assiduity to cultivate and produce an abundant harvest (like the fertile soil). 12.   There is not much use to extol the greatness of God’s Word which is the seed. It is more useful to examine and improve the quality of the soil of our hearts and life. 13.   Let us then do a sincere self-check with regard to God’s grace: Whether we are responding promptly, listening attentively, attending seriously, preserving profoundly, caring assiduously, preparing the soil wisely, cooperating wholeheartedly, and acting positively. In other words, removing all those factors that block and promote those conditions that lead to fecundity   Lifeline: The problem of productivity precisely is of sensitivity, openness, listening, seeing, feeling and acting. Let us be abundant in fruits and not merely in seeds of good desires, intentions, and words   (Reflection 2) Thrust: Receptivity is the seedbed of productivity! Indicative: God provides us all that is needed for our growth and fruitfulness. But it depends on us how to respond to and cooperate with His grace and produce fruit abundantly 1.      Very many times, it is sad to see that a good many waste their life without any sense of purpose and direction. They are just unproductive and unfruitful. They receive many opportunities to grow and prove themselves worthwhile and useful. But they are not responsive and responsible. 2.      This is because they are not sensitive and susceptible to sense the offer of God’s grace. They are not receptive to it. They are not cooperative with it. Consequently, they fail to produce fruits that are abundant and lasting. This message is strongly conveyed by the parable of the sower in the gospel. 3.      The four types of soil represent four kinds of response and cooperation. The first way-side soil indicates all those who are totally indifferent and unbothered about the seeds of God’s grace. God and God’s things for them do not matter at all. God has no entry into their lives. 4.      The second rocky soil indicates all those who receive God’s grace willingly but are not deep-rooted. So easily their initial enthusiasm fades away. The third bushy and thorny soil denotes all those who are regarded as religious and devout people but are dominated by worldliness. The worldly interests and preoccupations distract, deviate, and distort them. Consequently, their life of faith is choked and restricted. 5.      The fourth fertile soil receives the seeds, cultivates them diligently, and produces a rich harvest of abundant fruits. What is notable is that on God’s part, there is no lapse. There is no scarcity in the supply of seeds. He distributes His seeds without any discrimination. 6.      This positive response and active production require a consistent awareness and living of our very vocation and mission like that of Jeremiah. Jeremiah receives God’s call in all humility. He is aware of his unworthiness, inexperience, and incompetence. But God assures him, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you to deliver you”. He equips him with His own power, by “putting His words in his mouth”. Imperative: Our call is God’s own design and making. It is He who consecrated us and appointed us prophets. This requires that we are diligent and fruit-bearing and we also make others fruit-bearing