Last Sunday, we started the pre-Lenten observance. The Gloria and Alleluia have been put to rest, and I am wearing violet vestments to cultivate a pre-Lenten attitude. The significance of the season of Sexagesima Sunday is to achieve our spiritual rightful aspirations. It is not only about following the “Traditiones Custodes,” but what matters most is to discipline our hearts to be in communion with the life of God. I believe we are encouraged to live a holy life, inspiring others, doing good deeds, caring for others, doing penance and forgiving.
The epistle today, taken from the 2nd letter to the Corinthians, reminds us of the example of St. Paul, who labored with much commitment for the salvation of our souls and to faithfully honor God who sustained him with His grace. This epistle is not about narration of Paul’s achievements and prestige in order to boast, but to endure and to perform in preaching the gospel. St. Paul, when he asked that his “sting of the flesh” be taken away, emphasized how God’s grace is sufficient to deal with the thorns that prevent the good works he had been doing.
I see myself in St. Paul’s attitude that despite so many trials and difficulties doing my missionary endeavors, God is in total control to shame these and to remove the obstacles they place in the way of spreading the holy gospel. Trials and sufferings are what make me humble. These false believers and pretenders, the hirelings as Christ calls them, only care for their own selves, for temporal advantages, not to care for the salvation of everyone. Our own responsibility is to exemplify Christ’s life and to remember St. Paul sharing how he marveled from his own missionary sufferings. Through his humility and modesty, he perseveres to overcome the concupiscence of the flesh which he claims is like a sting of his flesh. Tormented and yet remaining in the abode of happy spirits is what I believe is God’s loving response.
The gospel today, taken from St. Luke, is a parable of the Sower which does not require much explanation. The Lord’s explanation is sufficient and clear enough to understand it. In this pre-Lenten journey, we might ask ourselves how does the Word of God grow in our heart and soul?
First, following the example of the Blessed Mother Mary, she did not only hear the word of God, but she kept it in her heart. It is necessary that we should not only hear the Word of God but to seriously take it to heart.
Secondly, we must meditate upon it and put it into practice. We should not only be content with merely receiving God’s word because I have the impression that it only lasts during the mass, and after you leave the church everything has been forgotten. I would say, the Word of God must take root in our hearts by practical application of its teaching.
Thirdly, the seed, which is the Word of God, brings to us the fruit of tolerance and patience. When we have the patience, the seed of the divine Word germinates, which we don’t really expect to blossom, and gives life to our hearts slowly but surely. The seed quietly falls wherever the Sower throws it. There it lies patiently until it bursts, bending at last its head, refreshed by the dew, the rain and the sunshine, then it grows.
Therefore, if we wish to bear fruit for salvation, the more we are humble to give us the strength to bring forth fruits for eternal life.
May God bless us with His grace to possess sufficient knowledge and desire of that inexpressible reward prepared for those who have served God faithfully in this world.
Fr. Arlon, osa
