The Germ of Eternal life

 Reflection on Today's Reading, Saturday, 24th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, September 19th, 2020

 St. Paul reminds us in today's first reading that the germ of eternal life or spiritual body is in the present life or physical body. The physical body is the kernel or grain that bears the germ of spiritual body; the eternal life is present in this present life as a germ. He says, "What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body which is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. So it is with resurrection. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable".

Today's gospel reading takes the message further by reminding to make ourselves good soil so that the germ of eternal life can grow in us. The four types of soil represent the four groups into which humans are divided. The path represent those who have no faith. St. Paul calls faith a shied that quench the burning arrows of the evil One (Eph. 6:16). The faith protect the germ of eternal life in us from being exposed to the devil.  With faith the words of God sink in and we are able to understand them. The rock represent those who could not hold on to the truth for long; they quickly let the truth go because of the challenges they experience as result of the truth.  Truth is a light needed by the germ to grow; just as plant needs sun so also the germ needs truth. Hence, St. Paul says, "Stand on your ground, with truth a belt round your waist" (Eph.6:14). The thorns represent those who are not upright. Uprightness is a breastplate (Eph.6:14) that protect our minds against cares and allurement of this world. The good soil represent those who  has faith, hold fast to the truth and are upright in their behaviours and conducts. Hence, it is said, "And as for that in good soil , they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." 

Lord our God, help us to have faith in your word, grant us perseverance to hold truth fast and to live upright life. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke