The Revelation of the Children of God

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 16, 2023

Readings: Isaiah 55:10–11; Psalm 65:10–14; Romans 8:18–23; Matthew 13:1–23

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/rolucF5yQ_Q

These days, we have been either hearing or reading baffling news about flash floods in our country India in social sites and media outlets. India is a vast country with varied weather conditions, we often hear either of heat waves or floods affecting different regions of our country.  Such news items have become part of our lives. However, there are always possibilities of minimizing the damage caused by such conditions. There must be a collective effort from different partners and stakeholders to find the right solutions. All the more, we must learn to appreciate the beautiful world that God has created for us. Often, we have created problems for ourselves which cannot be solved by human wisdom. In this context, the liturgical readings for this 15th Sunday in ordinary time invite us to listen to God and his Word. Unless and until we are attuned to God and his workings, we might not be able to fix the problems of today including of the environment.

1. God reveals Himself to us

Let's begin with the first reading of today from the prophet Isaiah 55:10–11. God continues to reveal to the world who He is. Often we might think that because of our intelligence and the capacity to create wealth and power, we are the masters of this world. Actually, it is not so! When disasters occur like earthquakes, floods, fires, accidents, or diseases that are uncontainable, then we look for divine power to assist us. The power of God's Word is tremendous. This Word comes to us from heaven in various ways and means. Just like the trees that give us fruits, plants that give us flowers, trees that give us wood, land that gives us grains, streams that give us water, animals that give us meat, and the list is endless. Through God's work in the world, we see the growth, change and spiritual abundance to our lives. Only by immersing ourselves in Scripture, we can allow its transformative power to work in our hearts, bringing about spiritual growth and producing the fruit of righteousness.

Isaiah emphasizes that God's Word will not return to Him empty but will accomplish His intended purpose. His Word is powerful and effective, and it will always accomplish what He intends. In a world that is often uncertain and changing, we can trust in the unchanging nature of God's promises. God's Word accomplishes its purposes at the perfect moment. We need to trust in God's timing. Sometimes, we may desire quick answers or immediate outcomes, but God works according to His perfect timing. We can find peace in knowing that His plans are being fulfilled in His perfect way and at the appointed time. God's Word operates in a cooperative way where God's Word interacts with our hearts and minds, and we respond to it by bearing fruit.

2. God reveals Himself in our suffering

St Paul in his letter to Romans 8:18–23 looks at the suffering that he is enduring to the glory of the revelation of God. God speaks to Paul in his suffering. And Paul acknowledges the reality of suffering in the present world. No one can deny suffering and it may come or people may experience in different forms and measures in varied ways. He acknowledges that creation itself is subject to futility (uselessness) corruption, and groaning. This includes the struggles, pain, anxiety, fear, grudges, and brokenness that we experience as individuals and as part of the fallen world. For a Christian, suffering is not the end of the story. It is an opportunity to grow in faith, perseverance, and dependence on God. In other words, God reveals himself in all these realities of human existence starting with creation itself. 

As believers, we have hope beyond our present circumstances. The sufferings we experience now are temporary and incomparable to the glory that awaits us in eternity. Our hope is grounded in the promises of God and the assurance that He will redeem and restore all things. St Paul extends the hope of redemption beyond humanity to include the entire created order. He speaks of creation itself being subjected to futility in hope, waiting for the day when it will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. The redemptive work of Christ extends beyond our individual salvation. It encompasses the restoration and renewal of all creation. Our hope is not only for personal redemption but also for the transformation and liberation of the world around us. This should inspire us to care for and steward God's creation. 

3. God's Word reveals in our hearts with various outward expressions

Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew 13:1–23 speaks about a parable on a sower and how it is connected with God's Word and its revelation to us. In the parable, Jesus describes four types of soil representing different conditions of the human heart: the hardened path, the rocky ground, the thorny soil, and the good soil. Each soil type represents a different response to the message of the kingdom. The parable reminds us to examine the condition of our hearts. Are we receptive to God's Word, or do we allow distractions, worries, or worldly desires to hinder its growth within us? It calls us to cultivate a heart that is open, fertile, and receptive to the truth of God's Word. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of sharing the gospel and sowing the seed of God's Word in the lives of others. It encourages us to be faithful in proclaiming the truth, even though the response may vary. We should sow generously, trusting in God's ability to bring about transformation.

This parable teaches us that the reception and response to the gospel can differ greatly. It challenges us to examine our own response to God's Word and encourages us to be persistent in our pursuit of understanding, faithfulness, and spiritual growth. To bear good fruit, God's Word must be rooted deeply in our hearts. Only there is potential for abundant fruitfulness when God's Word takes root in receptive hearts. It encourages us to nurture and cultivate the soil of our hearts so that we may bear fruit that glorifies God. The parable reminds us of the diversity of responses to the gospel and the potential for abundant fruitfulness when the Word takes root in receptive hearts. 

Conclusion        

We are called to actively engage with God's Word and respond to its message. It's not enough to passively receive it; we are invited to partner with God in its fulfillment. As we respond in faith, obedience, and surrender to His Word, we experience its transformative power and become agents of His purpose in the world. May we be attentive to the state of our hearts and committed to both sharing and receiving God's Word, bearing fruit that brings glory to His name, for God is our true home and our ultimate destiny. May the power, steadfastness, and transformative nature of God's Word encourage us to follow in His footsteps. May we find inspiration and guidance in these reflections as we seek to grow spiritually and walk in the ways of the Lord.

A few questions for self-reflection:

1. What kind of soil characterizes my heart? Am I receptive to God's Word, or are there hindrances that prevent its growth within me?
2. In what ways can I cultivate a heart that is open, fertile, and receptive to the truth of God's Word and His revelation?
3. How am I actively sowing the seed of God's Word in the lives of others? 
4. What distractions or worries tend to choke the growth of God's Word in my life? How can I address and overcome them?

Take time to reflect on these questions, seeking insights and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Allow these reflections to inspire personal growth, deepen your relationship with God, and encourage you to actively participate in the sowing and receiving of His Word.

Prayer - based on Psalm 65

Gracious God,

We come before You with hearts full of gratitude and awe for Your bountiful provision and the abundance of Your creation. You water the earth and enrich it, causing it to bring forth abundance. The streams of Your provision never run dry, and You provide for all our needs. We thank You for sustaining us and for the beauty that surrounds us in the natural world. Lord, as we enjoy the abundance of Your creation, may we never forget the Source of all blessings. Help us to remember that true satisfaction and contentment are found in You alone. 

Lord, you bless the work of our hands and provide for us in ways we cannot fathom. Help us, O God, to be good stewards of the blessings You have bestowed upon us. May we use the resources You have given us wisely and generously, sharing with others and contributing to the well-being of those around us. Teach us to be faithful in using our gifts and talents for Your kingdom's purposes. We lift up this prayer of thanksgiving and surrender to You, trusting in Your unfailing love and provision. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

July 14, 2023