We’ve all heard the story of St. Francis of Assisi, who as a
young man found himself wandering about the outskirts of his hometown of Assisi
seeking a life direction. There were breathtaking
views of vistas at every turn, but he seemed to hardly notice. Until he came upon San Damiano, a little
church in need of a good bit of repair. He
entered and knelt down underneath that large wooden crucifix, painted in the
Byzantine style of an icon.
The open eyes of Jesus on the cross seemed to lock him in a
stare that was both intimidating and beckoning at the same time. He couldn’t look away as feelings of doubt and
fear, guilt and desire welled up within him. “Lord, what do you want me to do?” he asked. “Show me what you want me to do with my life.”
And the Lord answered! A voice as clear as the day responded: “Francis,
go and rebuild my church which, as you see, is falling down.”
Is it safe to assume we know the ancient parables reflect
two levels of meaning: literal and figurative? That their message is meant to challenge and
convey an understanding of the realm of God.
Yet, wanting clarity, literal minds often resist this. We feel the need to know the “correct” meaning
of things. Ambiguity is uncomfortable and
challenging.
It took St. Francis some time to figure out the calling he
heard to “rebuild my church” was not meant to be a literal meaning, to repair
the physical structure, but something deeper, something beyond the walls of the
physical church building. Even David in his
desire to build a house for God, receives the message, “Should you build me a
house to dwell in?” (2 Sm 7:4) I “will
establish a house for you.” (2 Sm 7:11)
Let’s focus on the figurative language of today’s scriptures.
The seed represents the Word of God
being sown by Jesus, which the apostles and disciples will continue to sow
after Jesus’ mission and ministry draws to a close. This Word is also not simply the teachings it
is also the lives of those who embody the Gospel message. The Word is a living Word, we who believe become
the living Word. Some people will receive
it; others will not. Some will have it
snatched away before it takes root, while others will have it chocked off by
worldly desires.[1]
When we spend time with the Word of God it has the ability
to reveal to us that we are one with the sower, one with the seed. Indeed, we are one with the harvest that ripens
and flourishes at the hand of the divine Planter. Our role is diverse. We are called to be fertile soil, to allow
that Word to thrive within us AND we must be healthy seeds, bringing the good
news of God’s Word to wherever we are strewn. Disciples of Christ are committed to lives
that blossom and manifest God’s reign to all the world.[2]
[1] Weekday HomilyHelps, Exegesis by Dr. Carol
Dempsey, OP.
[2] Weekday HomilyHelps, Homily Suggestion by Cecilla A.
Felix.
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