A Homily for Sexagesima Sunday

+ No matter how many times we have heard the Parable of the Sower, however well we know its content, it nonetheless is worthy of further contemplation. Our Lord Himself has given us the meaning of the symbols which are employed: there is no reason to seek another interpretation. Yet there is always a manner to delve deeper into the mystery which is contained in these divine words. Every word of God is spoken to call us to further conversion of life. It is not material knowledge of God, but a relationship with Him that is necessary for salvation. A relationship that is, nonetheless, grounded in the objectivity of Truth.

In each of the three places that seed fell and did not bear fruit there are elements which are very closely aligned to modern life—not simply in general, but in a personal manner which affects us all. First, there is the seed that falls on the path. The word is sown by God; it is even heard by the listener. But it is given no thought, no permission to be anything except a nice idea somebody has. In our fast-paced, noisy, modern world it is very difficult even to hear the word of God. And it is harder yet to be still and quiet long enough to ruminate over that word and let it bear fruit. But it is worse: literacy is almost universal, words bombard us from every direction. So many of these words can be recognised according to the description of the devil used by St Peter (with which the Office of Compline daily admonishes us) – as a roaring lion they search for anybody off-guard whom they can devour. (cf. 1 Peter 5:8-9)

In another parable Our Lord teaches that an enemy sows tares in the wheat field He has so carefully prepared, which will inevitably reduce the amount of wheat that can be grown. (cf. Mt 13:24-43) Tares look very like wheat. Likewise, falsehood receives its power by masking itself as truth. Christ Himself is the Truth (cf. John 14:6); all truth is to be found in Him. All that is true, regarding faith and morals, is to be found in Him. Whilst we cannot know all, He did give us His advocate, God the Holy Ghost, to guide us in the Truth (cf. John 16:12-13) according to our needs. All that is Revealed and that is necessary for our salvation is to be found within the Apostolic Tradition. There can be nothing new, only a fuller understanding of what has been Revealed. With confidence, from the Apostolic Tradition, we can recognise the voice of the Lord and be sure that it is His voice that is enabling us to put down roots in good soil.
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A man’s roots are his interiority, his integrity. He needs to know what he is doing and why he is doing it. This needs to be the fruit of a full, conscious decision. Once the decision has been made to put down roots in good soil, moreover, this resolution needs to be renewed day in day out. But not only by an act of the will, but by familiarising oneself with the way of thinking that it requires. Each of our decisions should be made unto the glory of God. Our thoughts, then, should ever be directed unto giving God the glory, so that this is our normal, habitual form of action (i.e. we should cultivate this as a virtue).

At the end of this morning’s Epistle, the Apostle reveals exactly how it is that he accomplished so much unto the glory of God. He allowed the power of Christ to work through him. This is the full effect of the seed, the Word of God Eternally Begotten from the Father, taking root and bringing forth many good works. This is the nature of humility—allowing oneself to act, not according to oneself, but from the inspiration of God, no matter how great, or how small is that which is given us to do.

How well this is demonstrated by St Gregory the Great exclaiming: “I knew I was certainly unfit for such a task, but I quickly raised my hopes to Him … Who made an ass’s loud baying sound like human speech. And what is so wonderful about intelligence being granted to a stupid man like me if, when he wished, God could proclaim His truth through the mouth of a dumb beast?” (Moralia in Job: prefatory letter to Leander, 2; cf. Numbers 22:28-30).

Yet unlike the Ass, we are given free will to cooperate with, or reject God. We are given the ability to reason so that we might search for Him. We are allowed to understand, in so far as He has revealed Himself the Divine mysteries. A true cooperation with God, through his grace, requires we let His wisdom fill our minds such that His power can act through our persons. Such is how good roots can develop in our hearts, minds and souls as demanded the Parable of the Sower.

From these roots a great plant can grow, but it is nevertheless still not out of danger. Vain, worldly distractions can still suffocate the grace that should bear an abundant crop. The depth of the roots of humility and our reliance on God’s grace gives us a certain protection, for the integrity, the interiority they provide, show up these vanities for what they in fact are.

Indeed, even having heard the Word of God, having allowed it to truly penetrate us, we must be vigilant. We must ask for the grace of perseverance to foster the growth of His Word in us, so as to allow God to truly work through us.

The stillness, the repetitions, the Christocentric nature of the Sacred Liturgy presents the most perfect opportunity to receive the Word of God into our hearts. By a full immersion in the liturgical riches that it is our privilege daily to celebrate, the seed can take root and allow the grace of God to work through us. +