Short homily for the day

The best kind.

Been ages since I preached — see Company Man: My Jesuit Life, 1950-1968 — but can't douse the urge.

So here I am (we are), Saturday, 24th week in ORDINARY time, designation crafted by Vatican 2 fixers, and the issue is seed fallen to the ground etc.

The estimable Luke tells it at 8:4-15:

‘A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.’ After saying this, he called out, ‘Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.’

Memorable words, and we're listening. He expatiates:

‘The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved.’

This is one of those times when we can say what Peter said in another context, “These are hard words and who can believe it?”

And fall back (heavily) on what Peter added, when asked if he also would go away, "Where shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

Next:

Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation.

Seemed to them a good idea at the time, but “Hey, we've got a life to live. Sorry.”

‘As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit.”

Busy, busy, busy. So much to do, you only live once. Ouch.

"But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance."

Good for them. Good for us. Ladies and gentlemen and little boys and girls, let us pray.

-- Thus endeth short homily for the day. --