“Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and
snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making
it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one
who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not
return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent
it.”
Second reading: Rom. 8: 18-23
“Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of
this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for
us. For creation awaits with eager
expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made
subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected
it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in
labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for
adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”
Gospel reading: Mt. 13: 1-9 (Short form)
“On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by
the sea. Such large crowds gathered
around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood
along the shore. And he spoke to them at
length in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fall on the path,
and birds came and ate it up. Some fell
on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soli was not deep, and went the sun
rose it was scorched, and withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns
grew up and choked it. But some seed
fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred of sixty of thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Introductory theme summary:
The common theme from today’s readings is the fruitfulness
of God’s word, and our responsibility for being so as a measure of an authentic
possession of faith.
Reflection:
Contrary to the Protestant belief, today’s readings
substantiate the necessity of a faithful reception of God’s word being
accompanied by works or the claim of faith is empty, or in this metaphor –
fruitless.
More interesting, however, are two specific passages from
the second reading: “Creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of
the children of God;” and, “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption
of our bodies.”
Everyone expects that the resurrection will involve the
glorification of our bodies, which will certainly be the redemption of our
bodies. But, when these two passages are
put together, as is appropriate considering they are both within the context of
the same message, it would appear that the two point to the same thing. Therefore, the revelation of the children of
God will involve our adoption, which will also include the redemption of our
bodies.
Just imagine what that will entail – actually realizing our
likeness to God. Could those who do not
believe in the possibility of living their lives as Christ lived his by our reception
of him through his real presence in the Eucharist, realize what they do not
believe? This brings our attention to a
very specific passage in the gospels: the "taken and left" passages.[1] The imagery from the "taken and left" passage is
meant to depict how even though two people can appear to have the same standing
with God on the outside, on the inside the exact opposite may actually be the
case.
Contrary to those who believe in the rapture; for the
children of God to be revealed, and for their revelation to bring nature’s
deliverance from corruption, those children must remain here and therefore
“taken” must have another meaning than a literal one of departing from this
world.
This is the end for which God has sent his word – accomplishing
man’s redemption.
[1]
Mt. 24:40-41 “Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken and one will
be left. Two women will be grinding at
the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.”
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