*The Law of Sowing and Reaping.*
(Homily for Saturday 22ND September 2018)
_“But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?’ You foolish man! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.” *(1 Corinthians 15:35-36)*_
Both readings today allude to the system of planting, growing and harvest.
In other to refute the arguments of those who do not believe in the possibility of rising from the dead, St. Paul says, just as a seed is sown in the ground and dies first before producing a plant, so also when we die, our bodies decay but at resurrection, we shall have a more glorious appearance.
Indeed, anyone who does not believe in the resurrection of the dead is according to St. Paul a foolish person. Yes, we shall rise again but not to the same flesh as we have now. Like the seed planted, this very flesh will rot and something else will grow in its place which is the soul.
Jesus makes the point that the word of God is like a seed sown across different soils by a farmer. Normally a farmer would prepare the ground, clear the grasses, remove thorns and manure the place before attempting to sow. Only a careless farmer goes about spreading the seeds everywhere freely even on the road and on rocks.
The carelessness of God in sowing the Good news appears foolish to human understanding but it shows His generosity. Everyone is given a chance and an opportunity to gain heaven.
However, there are different hearts; the stony heart, the root-less heart, the distracted heart, and the rich heart. There are different ways people respond when they hear the word of God, but the beauty of it all is that the word of God is so powerful that in whatever heart it enters, it does not remain stale. Something must happen. The seed must grow.
Whether it bears fruit eventually is up to our manner of reception. How important is God’s word to you? Can you mention the fruits you have so far produced?
Let us Pray: Lord God, open our hearts to understand your word that we may apply it in our lives. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1st Corinthians 15:35-49, Psalm 56:10-14 and Luke 8:4-15)*
Fr. Abu.