From Our Pastor: 15th Sunday In Ordinary Time
This weekend our readings speak to us of the abundance of God. The first reading from Isaiah speaks of how God abundantly showers His grace down and it is never wasted in its gift. One of the most intriguing parts of this passage is that the water that rains down does not return until it has done what it is meant to do, make fertile and fruitful. Isaiah then tells us it’s the same with the word of God, which brothers and sisters in light of Jesus Christ, this text takes on a new meaning.
Jesus IS the word that God speaks, and His word does not return to Him until it shall do His will, achieving the end for which it was sent. Jesus did not return to the Father until He had accomplished the work that He came to do. Jesus’ work is not in vain but is effective and abundant. Even the psalm today shows us that we need to receive the seed that is Christ and be good ground so we may bear His fruit in us.
The gospel goes into this in greater detail. He tells the parable of the Sower and the seed. Some of the seed falls on the path, some on rocky ground, some in the midst of thorns, and some in rich soil. The rich soil produced great yields of fruit. Then Jesus says, “whoever has ears ought to hear.” If nothing else makes you pay attention, when Jesus says whoever has ears ought to hear, He is saying you better be listening!
Then the disciples questioned Him on not only the parable but why He speaks in parables. He says because the knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you and brothers and sisters through your baptism this is the case. The question is, when the seed of baptism was placed in you, what kind of soil are you? And are we paying attention to who we are and whose we are, and listening to His voice and His call for you. This curious phrase, to the one who has more will be given and to the one who has not what he has will be taken away is the fact of faith.
You are given faith as a free gift! And because of that He expects more from you. For those who have faith and don't live it, faith will be taken from you. We are called to be disciples of Christ, which calls us to action. You cannot be a sideline Catholic. You cannot be a sideline disciple. Being in a relationship with Him moves us to action. And then He says this wonderful phrase, blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear! And He's not just speaking to the disciples and the apostles of that day but He’s speaking to you because if you open your eyes, you will see Him in the Eucharist and you will hear Him speak to you in the Church, in the Eucharist, and in Scripture. We have seen Him and blessed are you for truly seeing Him. And therefore, you are called to bear much fruit!
As they work on 17th Street between Oak and Elm, we may have limited access leaving the north parking lot. In this case I ask you not to park in the entrance coming off Elm as we will make that a dual directional entrance during the construction. Please be patient as the city updates the road and sewers in front of our church and school and be grateful for this gift to us. The city tells us it will be done before school starts and I hope this is the case. Please pay attention to the bulletin and the parish app and the parish's Facebook page and website for any updates along the way that we become aware of. There will be inconveniences in this time and I urge you to offer them a small sacrifice to the Lord for the sake of our parish and its continued growth and discipleship efforts.
-Rev. Steven Arisman