We are back in the
Ordinary Time and the liturgy presents this interesting gospel. The people who
heard Jesus tell the parable also shared the wonder of the soil. The farmer
works hard during the day, but he can't make the seed grow into a plant, and
the plant produce fruit. God causes the growth. In our modern terms, the farmer
creates the best environment for growing, but God causes the growth. Jesus'
point is that the Kingdom of God is, like the plants, in God's hands. The
workers in the Lord's fields must do their best to create the proper
environment for growth, but God cause the growth. This parable was important
for the people of the early Church in face of discouragement when their efforts
don't seem to be getting them anywhere[1].
God
does give growth, that’s the point. We have to be convinced about this. You
know, the Church lives on despite the persecution from the Romans, despite
internal fights and debates of the second through fifth centuries, despite the
Fall of Rome and conquest of the barbarians, despite the corruption in the Middle
Ages and the Renaissance, despite the clergy sex abuse scandal, despite
internal attacks; the Church still lives on, and grows. God gives the growth. He does wonders with our frail and poor
efforts [I mean] He turns that which is insignificant into that which is
substantial.
My brother, my
sister, we are members of the greatest society the world has ever seen. We are members
of the Kingdom of God. We are members of the Church. No matter what the media
may comment, we are part of the only truly relevant organization in the world. We
give meaning to the whole purpose of existence. No matter what the media may
say, the Church continues to grow. For
the Lord, not people, gives the growth.
Therefore, when you are confronted with media attacks
upon religion, a media, remember the Church is forever. And when you are
confronted with those who compare the numbers of priests and priestless
parishes and the numbers of Catholics to figures of fifty years ago, remember
the Church is forever.
Therefore, when you are confronted with
immorality on all sides, when you are convinced that the world is coming to an
end because so many people are behaving so poorly, because you, as we all, are
often inclined to join them, do not despair, the Catholic Church not only lives
on through the confusion, it actually grows. You and I also grow as long as we
do everything we can to stay united to the Church. For in the face of turmoil,
outside us and within us, God gives his Church
growth. And you and I, right here, St. Vincent de Paul, although a small
unit, are still the Church.
As St. Paul
tells the Corinthians in today's second reading: we walk by faith, not by sigh[2]t…
May we always stay united to Church so God might work the miracle of His growth
through us ■
