Theme: What has God’s Word Produced In Us?

Introduction: The readings today talk about God’s Word being sown in the world. They ask the question of what this Word has produced in us?

Personally, the image of sowing and harvesting are hard for me to capture. I am one of those people that has a Non-Green Thumb; that is, I can kill even a plastic plant. But the images of Word and Seed and Harvest carry significant meaning, I think, for all of us. Words are powerful in themselves: I love you, I hate you, I respect you, I distrust you – are all words loaded with meaning.

When these words are said to us – they usually cause a response in us. When we say these words, they usually elicit a response in others. Some words: Love and Respect – are positive and good. Some words: Hate and Distrust – are negative and hurtful.

This week we have been moved by the words that have been spoken on the world stage. At the beginning of the week I was hopeful. Debt relief for some of the poorest countries in Africa and addressing the issue of Global Warming and the future of the planet. On Thursday, however, the conversation changed after the bombings in London: perhaps 50 dead, and more than 700 wounded.

These words and acts of violence reminded us of the attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, and the acts of March 11, 2004 in Madrid. We again became aware of how vulnerable we are as human beings. We each realize that these words and deeds elicit a response in us.

In London there were reports of people saying, “We cannot let the terrorists dictate the way we live our lives. We survived the Nazis, we will survive these attacks.” Brave words – Stiff upper lip words. There have been less generous responses as well around the world. I was shocked when one churchman told me, “The British have brutalized their colonies over the centuries – now it is their turn to pay.” Others have condemned all Muslims as murderers.

Tragic Words – Hateful words. What is our response? In the readings today – God’s word is seen as going out (first reading), or being planted (Gospel). Obviously not all words that are spoken in this world are God’s Word.

How do we discern God’s word from others? The Word of God is made clear in Jesus.

What is this Word? Jesus who forgave the adulterous woman! Jesus who compassionately raised from the dead the son of a poor widow. Jesus who ate with outcasts and sinners. Jesus who judged a person’s heart rather than his or her status. These are the Words of God – These are seeds planted in our hearts – How do we allow them to grow? Do we choke them with our hatred? Do we adhere to them with our mouths, but live our lives in selfish self-absorption? Do we nourish them and try to make them real in our lives?

I doubt that any of us have any answers to the terrorists attacks in London, Madrid or New York. We all hope that the culprits will be brought to justice. We all want the violence to stop. We all want the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to end. Yet, we are probably all puzzled about what we need to do here and now to let God’s Word grow in us and produce fruit – a hundred fold or sixty fold or thirty fold. Maybe for us – the response in going to be AT THE MARGINS. We know that there is so little that we can really control in our lives, but maybe we can help tear down the walls that separate us as people.

We know that fundamentally these walls are what prevent the harvest from growing. However, there are signs of hope. Last week I received a call from an Orthodox Rabbi who was concerned about the tension growing in the community of Hancock Park. He asked if we could gather a group of Jewish and Christian Clergy to address the issues. Soon we will gather – Catholic, Jew, Methodists, Episcopalians, and others thanks to the initiative of this good Rabbi and the work of our Community Organizing efforts in Hollywood.

Saturday – The Word of God was spread far a wide here at the parish. Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers , Spanish and English, shared their Faith in order to aid their ministry and make real what we profess – Many Made One Around the Table of the Lord. Marriage Encounter in Spanish had a retreat here in order to increase the understanding and compassion in their relationships so as to be able to share these gifts with others. Choir members shared the gift and beauty of music with any children who would want to come and learn, help break down barriers from childhood. Even in our violent world, there are signs of hope that God’s word is active and fertile.

As we continue with our Liturgy today. Let us pray for us all, that we can hear God’s Word and make it alive in our lives and in our world. Let us pray also for the many devout Muslims in the world. Who as much as anyone, feel the pain of these attacks done by fanatics and criminals, in the name of their religion.

May God’s Word yield a hundredfold in us, now and always.

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