What Render Our Hearts Sterile

 

Knowledge and understanding make us fertile for God’s word.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Friday of 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, and the Memorial of Joachim and Anne, July 26th, 2024
Texts: Jeremiah 3:14-17; Canticle Jeremiah 31 

Jesus Christ, today, reminds us of what render our hearts sterile for the word of God. The first is ignorance. He says, “When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart”. This tells us to seek the knowledge of God’s word. Knowledge and understanding make us fertile for God’s word. 

Prophet Jeremiah, in the first reading, shows that the people went astray because of ignorance. This is clear as God promised to send a shepherd who would feed them with knowledge and understanding. We read, "And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” 

We need perseverance to make the word of God fruitful in us

Jesus Christ also speaks of being unable to persevere. Lack of perseverance makes us infertile for the word of God. He puts it thus: “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.” We need perseverance to make the word of God fruitful in us. 

Jesus Christ also affirms that the cares of the world and delight in riches make us unfruitful for God’s word. He puts it thus: “As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” We need to be poor in the spirit to make God’s word fruitful in us. 

The saints of  the day

St. Joachim and St. Anne, whose memorial is today were the parents of Virgin Mary. They train Virgin Mary to fear God and love Him.  

Prayer 

O Lord, God of our Fathers, who bestowed on Saints Joachim and Anne this grace, that of them should be born the Mother of your incarnate Son, grant, through the prayers of both, that we may attain the salvation you have promised to your people. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke