Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Scriptures, we are all reminded to listen to the Lord and to His words being spoken in our hearts and minds, so that each and every one of us may continue to walk faithfully in His Presence, and that we will continue to grow ever stronger in faith and dedication to Him, and not be easily swayed by the many temptations and falsehoods, wickedness and evils present all around us in this world. As long as we remain receptive to God’s words, and allow Him to touch our lives, we will continue to grow in faith and strength, holiness and grace.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of the prophet Samuel in which King David of Israel, after having united the kingdom, defeated the enemies of Israel and conquered Jerusalem, the city that he made to be the new capital of the kingdom, he finally had peace and prosperity throughout his kingdom. And then, King David desired to build a proper House, a great Temple dedicated to God and for His worship in Jerusalem, which he then conveyed to the prophet Nathan, the prophet who likely succeeded Samuel in being the prophet of God among the people of Israel.

Initially Nathan told David that he should do whatever it is that he had planned, but God then later on told David through Nathan, that it was not for him to build the House and Temple which he had intended to build for Him. Instead, it would be his son, Solomon, the next King, who would be the one to build the Holy Temple. The Lord also used that opportunity to tell David that He shall keep the rule of David’s house and family firm forever, and that He will always be with His beloved people forever. He reminded David how He has been with all of them, and with him as well throughout his journey, and how He will continue to provide for all who put their trust and faith in Him.

Then, in our Gospel passage today, we heard of the famous parable of the sower which the Lord Jesus told and explained to the people who were gathered there to listen to Him. The parable of the sower showed how the sower spread the seeds that fell on various places, and how each of those seeds turned out to be. Some of those seeds fell on the roadside only to be picked up and eaten by the birds of the air, representing all those who have ignored God’s words, His truth and calling, and hence, the evil ones came to snatch them into the path of darkness.

And yet, some other seeds fell on rocky ground, where the seeds could not properly germinate and get themselves rooted, representing all those who have not allowed the Lord’s words to penetrate into their hearts and minds, as they hardened their hearts and minds against Him and His truth, out of pride, arrogance and greed, amongst other things. Then, those seeds that fell amongst brambles and thistles are those who allowed themselves to receive the word of God, His calling and all, but they were tempted and persuaded by worldly temptations, and failed to allow the Lord’s words to fully grow and mature in them. Only those seeds that fell into the fertile soil managed to germinate and grow well, and not just that, but even managing to produce many more times than what were sown. These are the ones who truly listen to the Lord, understanding His will and committed themselves to Him wholeheartedly.

As we have heard from the parable of the sower, that those who have been faithful to God, and provided the ‘fertile soil’ for the Lord’s words to be sown in their hearts and minds, like that of David’s example as highlighted in our first reading today, the results and outcome of that faith will truly be blessed, and most bountiful in its fruits, bearing much goodness, in thirty, sixty and hundredfold beyond what was initially sown. David for example was receptive to the Lord’s call, and persevered throughout his life to do God’s will, and from there, many good things came upon him, his family and the people of God.

Now, the choice is ours to make, brothers and sisters in Christ, whether we want to do what God has called us to do and to listen to His will, or whether we prefer to walk our own path, and following the whim of our desires and the various temptations present all around us in this world. Let us all remember that our faith in God has to be constantly nurtured, and our relationship with Him strengthened, which is how we provide that ‘fertile soil’ for the seeds of faith planted in us to grow. Unless we do our part in living our lives faithfully as Christians, then it is quite likely that we will continue falling again and again into sin.

Today, the Church also celebrates the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, a great and renowned servant of God, whose life and dedication to God have been great inspiration to many people who were strengthened and empowered by his examples. St. Francis de Sales was born into a noble family and was raised to be a magistrate and civil servant by his family, which led him to be very well educated. However, God has different plan for St. Francis de Sales, as He began planting the seeds of calling in him, to do more for the salvation of souls, which he responded positively, and eventually leading him down the path to priesthood.

He did not have it easy as his family, especially his father objected to this path, but eventually, after St. Francis de Sales continued to insist on continuing his path, and refusing to marry or become a politician or civil servant as his family intended, he was ordained as a priest. As a priest, St. Francis de Sales was extensively involved in missionary work in the region of Geneva in what is Switzerland today, amidst the height of the Protestant reformation, when many left the Church to follow the various Protestant sects that were then present, especially the Calvinists.

St. Francis de Sales patiently carried out his works and devoted himself to all those who had been entrusted to him, caring for them spiritually and revealing God’s words and truth to them, winning the hearts of many, and not few returned to the embrace of the Holy Mother Church through his efforts. And even later on, after he was appointed and made the Bishop of Geneva, he continued even more ardently with his works and missions, preaching the truth of God to more and more people, even to those who were stubborn and refused to listen to the truth of God. His many inspirational writings made him to be declared as one of the Doctors of the Church many years later after his passing.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, through the examples of King David of Israel and St. Francis de Sales, we all can see clearly how God had done so many wonderful works through His servants who have responded and answered His calling well. Each and every one of us as Christians have also been called to follow the Lord in our own ways, and we have been entrusted with the various missions and vocations in our respective parts of life, for us to follow through. Are we all willing to answer God’s call and to do what we can so that we can inspire all those around us with our exemplary life and faith? Let us all discern carefully our path in life so that in whatever we do, we will always strive to glorify God and to put Him first and foremost in all things. May God be with us always, and may He empower us all to live ever more faithfully in His Presence. Amen.