A Homily for Sexagesima Sunday

+ As Spring approaches we turn our attention to the garden and to the planting of seeds. Their germination and growth rightly occupies us. The monastery’s greenhouse is currently full of expectation of the same.
 
We know that not every seed germinates; we know that not every seed that germinates grows well and that not every plant produces good fruit. So too, we know the danger of pests that can destroy the plants we cultivate.
 
The parable of the sower should not require altogether that much explanation then.  Indeed, Our Lord’s own explanation of it should suffice.
 
The question I must ask is: How grows the Word of God in my heart and soul? And if weeding or watering or fertilising needs to be done, then, as last Sunday’s Gospel asked: “How is it that you are standing here idle all day?” (Mt 20:6) We know what has to be done. We must make a resolution of the will so to do and get on with doing what is necessary whilst we have the opportunity, no matter how late in the day it may be. Upon this we shall be judged.
 
There is a little more to ponder, though. The last verse of the Gospel this morning states “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
 
Yes, weeding and fertilising are necessary. We must remove from our lives those things which grow up only to replace and kill the life of God in our soul. And we must nourish ourselves frequently through prayer and by the grace of the sacraments. These are the basics and daily realities of Christian life.
 
But then we must hold the Word of God “fast” – we must hold to it faithfully – and bring forth fruit with patience.
Holding fast to the Word of God means just that, and not deviating from it or watering it down with false compassion or replacing it with some ideology. In his letter to the Galatians Saint Paul teaches clearly:

 “I am astonished that you are … turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:6-8.)

​We too, in our day, must beware of those who would pervert the gospel of Christ.

The Word of God as faithfully handed down in her living Tradition and solemnly taught by the Church is that to which we must hold fast – even if an angel from heaven (in whatever shape or form) teaches otherwise. This may not be easy, but we must be alert. We must not be paranoid: development in the teaching of the Church is possible. Downright contradiction is not.  

To bring forth fruit in patience is, perhaps, more difficult, for it requires that we cultivate the life of faith within us daily, with the patience of a gardener. A small seed can grow into the biggest of trees (as the parable of the mustard seed reminds us) but it will not do so overnight.

We must be patient with ourselves: some weeds can be very deep-rooted and difficult to remove – they can shoot up again even when we think they are long-since gone. And we must be patient with God: gardeners give sufficient fertiliser for growth at the correct time – too much too soon could do damage.

For the grace necessary to seek the conversion of our wills so we may worthily receive the Word of God, and for the virtues of fidelity and patience so as to bring forth an abundance of good fruit, let us pray with confidence and with devotion at this altar this morning. +

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