WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24, 2024
THIRD WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
2 Samuel 7:4-17
Mark 4: 1-20
HAVING A WELCOMING AND DISPOSED HEART FOR OUR GOD
The gospel relates to us the various obstacles that deter us from upholding and abiding in his words. For we know already the perfect nature of Jesus’s redemptive work, why then are we so reluctant, weak or outrightly rejected him.
Before Jesus spoke of this parable, he had already met so much obstacles on his mission. He was misunderstood by his family members, rejected by the Pharisees and accused of breaking the sabbath laws, and other inhibitions that have stopped people from getting close to him.
Jesus understands the antics of the devil and the passing glories that distracts mankind. So he made it open to his disciples that the message of salvation has been laid bare for all to see. “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables; so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand; lest they should turn again, and be forgiven.”
Going further, Jesus reveals those obstacles that block our way of salvation and stop us from bearing fruits of the kingdom.
In the parable of the sower, he points to three great obstacles. But it is pertinent to note that these obstacles are imbeded in our souls. We place the obstacles against ourselves, we can dispose our minds and ready our mind to overcome them. It is within us to control. First is the seed that fell on the way, which sprang up but had no depth of soul and the birds of the air came and ate it up. The word is heard but the heart is not ready, not disposed, never attentive, and always careless. Such hearts have no place for the word of God.
The seed that fell on rocky soul likewise are those whose disposition are not so much in acceptance of the word. It could not take root but it dies off. And same with the seeds that fell on thorny soil, that got chocked by the thorns because of the preoccupation for the care of life, beauty and glamour of the world, acquisition and possession of material things. Such obstacles are with us everyday.
But a ready soul, that can bear fruits are hearts that are disposed, willing to gain, ready to be instructed, to accept the way, to let go of other things, to live humbly and religiously. Such hearts bear fruits in abundance.
Let us then dispose our minds ready to listen to God’s words, eager to abide by his teaching, and ever ready to walk along the right path of life. By this, our lives will shine with the word of life.
Like David, we must endeavour to build a house for our God in our hearts and minds. We must endeavour to have a welcoming place for our God in our hearts and minds. For David in the first reading made conscious and enduring efforts to build a house for the Lord because he was not pleased with the Ark of the Covenant being house outside.
This intention was acknowledged, praised and David was honoured and blessed. When we consciously and carefully desire, aspire and work towards building a house for God, and welcoming our God, to stay with our God, to do his will, to abide in his word, to live according to his will and desires, God rewards and blesses such intentions. Disposing ourselves therefore for the benefits of being close to our God and doing his bidding attracts great blessings and honour from our God and we will bear fruits in abundance.
Heavenly Father, you word gives life. Grant that we may cherish to listen, to hear, to abide and carry out the word you send to us. Make us faithful followers of your Son and may our hearts be ever ready to welcome your word and to live by it so that you will always bless us with your healing, peace of mind and eternal salvation through the same Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
