Let us be attuned to our deepest hope

1 Tim. 6:13-16, Lk. 8:4-15. In today's first reading, Paul charges Timothy to continue to do what he has been called to do until Jesus returns to unite all the faithful with His Father. To know ourselves we must be attuned to our deepest hopes and desires. Since, truest self is not yet visible, we are charged to keep God’s commands faithfully. If we ask “for how long?” the answer is simply, “until Jesus Christ appears.” These secret parts of ourselves will outlast all trials and be the source of our new existence. The explanation of today's Gospel on the parable of the sower gives further pointers about life. As the seed can fall on the footpaths and be trampled down, so the mystery of life must not be subjected to foolish opinions. If the seed is scattered on rocky ground where it finds no root but quickly dries up, God’s inspiration must sink its roots deeply into our lives and become a part of us. Neither should the seed be dispersed amid briars, as it would be if we lose ourselves in a whirlwind pursuit of pleasure and lose our taste for prayer, reflection and self-denial which every mature person needs. The seed that falls on good ground and yields a plentiful harvest suggests how the grace of God must be thoroughly integrated into ourselves. The harvest depends on the quality of our lives over a long period of time.

In the parable of the sower and the seed, not all of the seed produces a crop. Only some found the right soil and went on to provide a harvest. The seed is vulnerable; all kinds of forces work against it, as the environment is not always supportive. The same could be said of our life of faith. The seed of faith that is sown in our hearts at baptism is vulnerable. Today’s environment is not always supportive of our faith, as trials can come our way and shake our faith. The worries, riches and pleasures of life can choke it. We need to nurture the seed of faith that we have received. We play a part in providing the good soil the seed needs. Part of this good soil is prayer, our personal prayer and the prayer of the community. Today's text makes reference to hearing the word and taking it to heart. A prayerful spirit creates an environment that allows the seed of faith to grow, the prayer of real listening to the word of the Lord, the kind of listening that overflows into how we live and relate to others. It is a good time to ask ourselves, what we can do to help the seed of faith we have received to grow to its full potential.

Lord, receive our liberty, memory, understanding, will, all that we have and all that we possess. You gave it all, Lord, we give it all back to you. Do with it as you will, according to your good pleasure! Amen!! Good morning and enjoy your weekend!!!