God’s Word Is A Viable Seed In Our Hearts

Readings: 1st: Is 55, 10-11; Ps: 64, 10-14; 2nd: Rom 8, 18-23; Gos: Mt 13, 1-25

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canóvanas, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He was the chancellor of the Diocese of Fajardo Humacao, Puerto Rico. Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments contact him at: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com

(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)

Today, the fifteenth Sunday of ordinary time, we celebrate Christ, who sows the seed of God’s word in our hearts. In light of Isaiah’s prophecy and Christ’s parable of the Sower, the Church enjoins us to evaluate our relationship with the Word of God. So, we must ask ourselves today, what has the word of God achieved or changed in my life?

Available now on

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1179451

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094YSGTZF

In the first reading, Isaiah compares the Word of God to the rain and snow that falls on the ground: “As the rain and snow come down from the heavens without watering the earth…so my words do not return to me empty, without fulfilling its mission.” This is because the word of God is viable and active. It has the full potency to rejuvenate and nourish our life. As a two-edged sword (Heb 4:2), it acquits and convicts one. So, either way, it accomplishes its mission because: “The word of God is, Yes and Amen” (1 Cor 1, 20).

In the second reading, Paul makes a very important statement. “Creation eagerly awaits the manifestation of God’s sons.” This manifestation means to reveal what is within us. Therefore, as vessels filled with the Word of God, we are expected to emit good fragrance when we are eventually manifested.

What is to be revealed are the fruits of the Holy Spirit through the word of God and the anointing we received in Christ. As adopted children of God who bear his Word, we have great expectations. Hence, the product of this expectation should be positive. It must be edifying because the seed of the good news sown in us is viable.

In today’s gospel, Jesus employs the parable of the Sower to speak personally to each of us. If we sincerely examine ourselves in the light of today’s parable, we will convincingly find our place within it. The spreading of the seeds everywhere without considering the nature of the soil and where they fall indicates God’s willingness to allow everyone to hear his word. It shows the universality of Salvation and a sign that God has no favorite. He wishes that all nations hear the good news, repent and live (Acts 10:34).

One point is clear from both the first reading and today’s gospel. This is the fact that the word of God is a viable seed. In other words, the problem is not with the seed. Instead, the problem is always with the receiver. That is one’s attitude toward the word of God.

Unfortunately, God’s word has lost meaning and significance for some of us. It has become an old-fashioned story repeated for ages. Let us listen to it once more and continue with our lives! For others, it is an obstacle on our way, as Paul said: “…We proclaim Christ crucified (the Word of God Made flesh), a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Cor 1:23). Glory is to God, for many, it is still alive, and new every day.

How we receive, value, and treat the word of God determines who we are and what it achieves in and for us. It is not meant to be received and quarantined. Instead, we have it to live it. It is not to be passive in us. Instead, it is meant to nourish and become one with us, just as food forms flesh and becomes one with our mortal bodies. It is supposed to shape our personality. That is how we live, speak, walk, and relate. So, as it was one with God who sent it (at the beginning, Jn 1:1-4), it is meant to become one with us today and always.

Finally, the word of God shapes our faith, and our faith depends on it. Hence, Paul reminds us, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” (Rom 10:10 -17). 

May God help us grow and mature in our faith through His life-giving word we hear daily.  Amen.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!