Scripture Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13: 1-23
Today we need to pray for ourselves, for our family, for our Parish that we will hear God’s word, understand it, and in the process live God’s word allowing God’s word to bear good fruit 100, 60 or 30 fold.
Just maybe the word of God is a continuing reminder, as Pope Francis shared recently: that being Catholic is a way of life!
Maybe we Christians, we Catholics have forgotten – have failed to appreciate – that the blessings of God, the Spirit of God given all of us is meant to assist us 24/7 in being people who better the lives of others so that they may taste the joys of the Kingdom of God here on Earth, as we will one day in heaven.
Last winter in New York City a commuter got off his train and was walking home at a rapid pace thinking about the hot drink he would have as soon as he got home. As he rounded the corner to his street he heard a young girl cry out, “Get your hot chocolate here, hot chocolate here!”
And there in front of him was a table with a large thermos of hot cocoa, a can of whipped cream, miniature marshmallows and a stack of plastic cups. The commuter was impressed – a different take on the summer lemonade stand. As he approached the 7 year old girl asked if he wanted whipped cream or marshmallows. Placing his order, he took out his wallet and asked how much she was charging.
“Oh, it’s free,” she laughed.
The confused commuter looked at the girl’s mother, who was standing nearby and said, “You’re giving it way?”
“Yes, it’s free,” her mother said with a smile. “My daughter got so many gifts for the holidays, we wanted her to learn to give back to the community, and we thought this might be a good way, so enjoy!”
It’s obvious from this story that the girl’s parents were people of selflessness, compassion, generosity, caring and humility. Seeds, if you will, that they were planting in the mind and heart of their child that will one day mature in the child’s life.
Christ calls us to model the sower of today’s Gospel in our homes, our neighborhoods, our work places, our schools, our churches. Everywhere and always. Never forgetting that the works of God, the works of the Gospel, even the simplest act of kindness, may be the “seed” that recreates and transforms not only our homes, but just maybe a world.