September 18, 2021
Saturday for Week Twenty-Four for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
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“Anybody wey get ear to hear suppose hear.” Luke 8:8
For one way, this short sentence na summary of the Parable of the Sower. This parable show us four different ways wey people dey receive the Word of God. The seed wey dem sow na the Word of God. Dem compare the four different groups of people to seed wey dem sow for path, for ground wey get plenty rock, among thorns, and for good soil.
Jesus explain say the seed wey dem sow for path na those “wey don hear, but the Devil come take the word comot from their hearts.” The seed wey dem sow for ground wey get plenty rock na those wey “receive the word with joy, but dem no get root; dem believe only for some time, and dem fall away when temptation come.” The seed wey dem sow among thorns na those wey don hear the Word and receive am, but as time dey pass, “the worries and riches and pleasures of life choke dem, and dem no bear fruit wey mature.” Finally, those wey be like rich soil na those wey hear the Word and “hold am firm with generous and good heart, and bear fruit as dem continue without giving up.”
As you look at these groups of people, which one you belong to? Most likely, people wey dey pray every day and try to follow our Lord belong to one of the last two groups. Notice say both those wey be like seed wey dem sow among thorns and those wey be like seed wey dem sow for rich soil dey bear fruit from the Word of God. This mean say their lives truly dey change, and dem dey make difference for the world because of God holy Word and His presence for their lives. But the difference be say those wey dey struggle with “the worries and riches and pleasures of life” no go bear “fruit wey mature.” This na good teaching wey faithful Christians suppose ponder.
When you look at your life, which kind fruit you dey see? The “fruit” wey our Lord dey talk about fit mean the fruits of the Spirit: love for God and neighbour, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, ability to bear with others, gentleness, faith, decent behaviour, self-control, and chastity. So, if you want discern whether you be more like person wey dey bear fruit wey mature or person wey dey bear fruit wey never mature, look at these holy qualities well. How far each of these fruits of the Spirit don “mature” for your life? Dem na wonderful things to use check your conscience if you want go deeper than only the Ten Commandments or the Seven Capital Sins. If your life dey truly bear these good fruits in mature way, you suppose fit see how dem dey touch other people through you. For example, how your kindness, patience, faith and self-control don help other people for their Christian journey?
Today, ponder the fruits of the Spirit. As you dey examine your own life, look at each one well and pray over am. Where you see dem plenty, rejoice and give thanks, and work to help dem grow. Where you see say dem dey lack, still rejoice say you don see am, and consider why dem dey lack. Worries about worldly things, desire for riches or pleasures dey stop dem from growing? Try to be that truly rich soil, and our Lord go surely make plenty good fruit come from you and through you.
My divine Sower, You dey sow the perfect seeds of Your Word in plenty. Abeg, help me open my heart to receive that Word so that plenty good fruit go grow. Abeg, free me from the worries and deceptions of life so that I go fit hear Your holy Word clearly and care for that Word make e grow for my heart. Dear Lord, I dey rejoice for everything wey You don do and still dey do inside me and through me. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Featured picture wey dey above: Parable of di Person wey Dey Plant Seed, through flickr
