Homily – 15th Sunday – Year A – Fr Jeremiah Browne (National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies – #southafrica #Swaziland #Botswana #eswatini)
I recently came across the idiom, “The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg.” It’s a simple saying with a profound truth. The same boiling water is exactly the same, yet it produces two very different results. The difference is not the circumstances but what lies within.
Think about it. The same thing happens in our lives all the time. When we experience failure, loss, suffering, disappointment or uncertainty, we can react in different ways. Those experiences can make us more compassionate, patient and trusting in God, or they can leave us bitter, hardened and closed in on ourselves.
The question is not whether difficulties will come; they will. The question is how those experiences will shape us.
In today’s Gospel (Mt 13:1–23), Jesus uses the image of the seed and the soil to make a similar point. The same seed is scattered everywhere, yet the outcome depends on the condition of the soil. Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower going out to sow. At first glance the farmer seems almost careless, reckless. He scatters seed on the path, among rocks, into thorns and on good soil.
Any experienced farmer would know that much of that seed has little chance of surviving. Yet Jesus is not giving us a lesson in farming techniques. He is revealing something about the astonishing generosity of
God does not ration his grace or reserve his love for those who seem most deserving. He continues to sow his word generously, even where others might see little hope. That is the heart of this parable. God never gives up on us. Before he calls us to respond, he first fills our lives with the gift of his grace.
The seed is never the problem. It is always good, for it is the very Word of God. The question Jesus invites us to consider is not the quality of the seed but the condition of the soil, which represents the state of our hearts. Just as the same boiling water softens the potato but hardens the egg, so the same Word of God reveals what lies within us. We all hear the same Gospel, yet its effect depends on how open our hearts are to receive it.
Some hearts have become hardened by disappointment, hurt or resentment, so that the word never really penetrates. Others receive it with enthusiasm, but when difficulties arise, their faith quickly withers. Still others allow anxiety, the pursuit of success, material possessions or the endless distractions of modern life to choke the life that God longs to bring forth. Then there are those whose hearts remain open, humble and receptive.
At various times in our lives, each of us has been hard like the path, shallow like the rocky ground, distracted like the thorn-filled soil and, by God’s grace, fruitful like the rich earth. Jesus tells this parable not to label or condemn people, but to invite us to honest self-examination. He asks us to look within and to ask ourselves “Where have I become hard? Where is my faith shallow? What worries or attachments are choking God’s life within me? Where is God already bearing fruit”
The encouraging news is that soil can be cultivated. Stones can be removed. Thorns can be uprooted. Even hardened ground can be broken open.
Through prayer, the sacraments, Scripture and daily conversion, God can transform even the hardest heart into fertile soil. The question is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are open to receive his word and allow it to transform our lives.
God’s word is never without power. It quietly accomplishes his purpose, often beneath the surface, long before we can see the results. Growth takes time. A seed spends much of its life hidden beneath the soil before anyone sees the first green shoot.
St Paul develops that same theme in today’s second reading. He reminds us that all creation is groaning in labour pains, waiting in hope for the fullness of God’s kingdom. God’s work in us is often like that. He is transforming us even when we cannot yet see the harvest. The struggles we endure today are not the final chapter. God is preparing a future glory that far outweighs our present sufferings – we just have to trust.
That should encourage us, especially when we become discouraged by our own slow growth or by the faith of those we love. Parents may wonder whether their efforts to pass on the faith have made any difference. Catechists may question whether anyone is really listening. Priests too!
No farmer digs up the seed every week to see if it is growing. The work continues quietly beneath the surface. Our task is simply to keep sowing faithfully and trust God with the harvest.
As we come to the Eucharist today, let us ask the Lord for the grace to be open to his word. May he soften whatever has become hard within us, deepen what is shallow, clear away whatever is choking our faith, and make our hearts rich soil where his word can take root, and help us become the people we are meant to be.
So, this morning, let us take a moment to ask ourselves: What is this word of God asking of my life? Where have I become hardened? Where have I grown shallow? What is preventing God’s word from taking root? What one step is the Lord inviting me to take today so that his word may bear more fruit in my life?
*****************
If you would like to request prayer, please click on the following link and complete the prayer request form https://missio-sacbc.org
If you would like to make a donation to support the Mission of the Church you can do so on our website using the ‘Donate’ button: https://missio-sacbc.org/donate
**************
Please consider praying a decade of the rosary on a daily basis for the evangelising Mission of the Church and the Pope’s intentions.
The the pope’s prayer intention for the month of July is for respect for human life.
Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.
.
*****************
Blessed Pauline Jaricot, Pray for us. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
*****************
Batswana Catholics Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Diocese of Francistown Catholic Diocese of Mthatha Catholic Diocese Of Kroonstad Catholic Diocese of Kimberley Youth & Young Adults Ministry Catholic Diocese of Manzini Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Catholic Institute of Education Catholic Diocese of Kimberley Youth & Young Adults Ministry Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference #faith #hope #love #charity #catholic Missionary Childhood
Homily – 15th Sunday – Year A – Fr Jeremiah Browne (National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies – #southafrica #Swaziland #Botswana #eswatini)
I recently came across the idiom, “The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg.” It’s a simple saying with a profound truth. The same boiling water is exactly the same, yet it produces two very different results. The difference is not the circumstances but what lies within.
Think about it. The same thing happens in our lives all the time. When we experience failure, loss, suffering, disappointment or uncertainty, we can react in different ways. Those experiences can make us more compassionate, patient and trusting in God, or they can leave us bitter, hardened and closed in on ourselves.
The question is not whether difficulties will come; they will. The question is how those experiences will shape us.
In today’s Gospel (Mt 13:1–23), Jesus uses the image of the seed and the soil to make a similar point. The same seed is scattered everywhere, yet the outcome depends on the condition of the soil. Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower going out to sow. At first glance the farmer seems almost careless, reckless. He scatters seed on the path, among rocks, into thorns and on good soil.
Any experienced farmer would know that much of that seed has little chance of surviving. Yet Jesus is not giving us a lesson in farming techniques. He is revealing something about the astonishing generosity of
God does not ration his grace or reserve his love for those who seem most deserving. He continues to sow his word generously, even where others might see little hope. That is the heart of this parable. God never gives up on us. Before he calls us to respond, he first fills our lives with the gift of his grace.
The seed is never the problem. It is always good, for it is the very Word of God. The question Jesus invites us to consider is not the quality of the seed but the condition of the soil, which represents the state of our hearts. Just as the same boiling water softens the potato but hardens the egg, so the same Word of God reveals what lies within us. We all hear the same Gospel, yet its effect depends on how open our hearts are to receive it.
Some hearts have become hardened by disappointment, hurt or resentment, so that the word never really penetrates. Others receive it with enthusiasm, but when difficulties arise, their faith quickly withers. Still others allow anxiety, the pursuit of success, material possessions or the endless distractions of modern life to choke the life that God longs to bring forth. Then there are those whose hearts remain open, humble and receptive.
At various times in our lives, each of us has been hard like the path, shallow like the rocky ground, distracted like the thorn-filled soil and, by God’s grace, fruitful like the rich earth. Jesus tells this parable not to label or condemn people, but to invite us to honest self-examination. He asks us to look within and to ask ourselves “Where have I become hard? Where is my faith shallow? What worries or attachments are choking God’s life within me? Where is God already bearing fruit”
The encouraging news is that soil can be cultivated. Stones can be removed. Thorns can be uprooted. Even hardened ground can be broken open.
Through prayer, the sacraments, Scripture and daily conversion, God can transform even the hardest heart into fertile soil. The question is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are open to receive his word and allow it to transform our lives.
God’s word is never without power. It quietly accomplishes his purpose, often beneath the surface, long before we can see the results. Growth takes time. A seed spends much of its life hidden beneath the soil before anyone sees the first green shoot.
St Paul develops that same theme in today’s second reading. He reminds us that all creation is groaning in labour pains, waiting in hope for the fullness of God’s kingdom. God’s work in us is often like that. He is transforming us even when we cannot yet see the harvest. The struggles we endure today are not the final chapter. God is preparing a future glory that far outweighs our present sufferings – we just have to trust.
That should encourage us, especially when we become discouraged by our own slow growth or by the faith of those we love. Parents may wonder whether their efforts to pass on the faith have made any difference. Catechists may question whether anyone is really listening. Priests too!
No farmer digs up the seed every week to see if it is growing. The work continues quietly beneath the surface. Our task is simply to keep sowing faithfully and trust God with the harvest.
As we come to the Eucharist today, let us ask the Lord for the grace to be open to his word. May he soften whatever has become hard within us, deepen what is shallow, clear away whatever is choking our faith, and make our hearts rich soil where his word can take root, and help us become the people we are meant to be.
So, this morning, let us take a moment to ask ourselves: What is this word of God asking of my life? Where have I become hardened? Where have I grown shallow? What is preventing God’s word from taking root? What one step is the Lord inviting me to take today so that his word may bear more fruit in my life?
*****************
If you would like to request prayer, please click on the following link and complete the prayer request form https://missio-sacbc.org
If you would like to make a donation to support the Mission of the Church you can do so on our website using the ‘Donate’ button: https://missio-sacbc.org/donate
**************
Please consider praying a decade of the rosary on a daily basis for the evangelising Mission of the Church and the Pope’s intentions.
The the pope’s prayer intention for the month of July is for respect for human life.
Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.
.
*****************
Blessed Pauline Jaricot, Pray for us. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
*****************
Batswana Catholics Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Diocese of Francistown Catholic Diocese of Mthatha Catholic Diocese Of Kroonstad Catholic Diocese of Kimberley Youth & Young Adults Ministry Catholic Diocese of Manzini Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Catholic Institute of Education Catholic Diocese of Kimberley Youth & Young Adults Ministry Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference #faith #hope #love #charity #catholic Missionary Childhood