Dear Friends,
In our first reading this weekend, the Lord says, “…my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” Certainly, these words evoke the book of Genesis, the images of God creating the heavens and the earth. When God speaks, what He speaks comes into being. We can also see here that when God’s Word becomes flesh and blood, Jesus Christ, Jesus fulfills the Father’s will totally and achieves our redemption.
Jesus, the Word made Flesh, is our way, our truth, and our life. In Jesus, the Father has spoken and fulfilled His Words of promise. He forgives us our sins and gives us access to His glory. That is why we come to Mass, especially on Sundays and Holy Days, to worship, to praise, to adore, and to give thanks for all that God has done and continues to do for us by the outpouring of His grace. His grace which is a totally free and undeserved gift, giving us a share in His very own Divine Life. How awesome is that!
How do we receive God’s Word? How do we want to receive His Word? Jesus is always sowing His Word. In today’s Gospel parable, He identifies many ways people receive His Word. Are our souls like the path? Rocky ground? Thorns? Rich soil?
Truth be told, most of us have probably experienced each of these within ourselves over our lifetimes. Sometimes we resist, ignore, or overlook God’s Word. Perhaps, at times we have put up barriers to His Word, making it hard for His Word to take root within us. The thorns of worry, anxiety, fear, or attachments to the things of this world are always challenges and we must consciously turn in trust to God and let go of things that hold us back. And so many times, we are rich soil, receiving, accepting, embracing, and accepting God’s Word into the very depths of our being.
You see God never gives up. He is always searching for us. He is constantly pouring Himself out to us. So that our lives can be transformed by His grace, and we can cooperate with Him in the work of His Kingdom on earth, preparing to enter the glory of His Kingdom one day forever.
So, I urge you to rejoice; shout and sing for joy! (Psalm 65) You are precious beyond all imagining. Jesus is with you. He suffered, died, and rose again for you. He holds nothing back from you now. Receive Him, embrace Him, and thank Him, today and every day!
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken