Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 103

....my word shall not return to me void,

but shall do my will,

achieving the end for which I sent it.

 

Commercial agricultural giants like Bayer (formerly Monsanto), Corteva Agriscience, and Syngenta might be willing to invest steeply in that marvelous seed which the Lord's sower broadcast on stones, footpaths, among weeds, and finally on fertile, moist ground. Although most of it perished for lack of soil, water, and room to grow, enough flourished to provide as much as one-hundred-fold. And that despite the sower's wasteful, outdated method of broadcasting! The world's farmers should be so blessed.

The parable reminds us of the astonishing abundance of God’s creation. A single maple tree strews a gazillion winged seeds all over the neighborhood while cottonwood trees send as many white, cottony fluff balls into the wind. Few of those seeds will take root or grow into trees, but the trees lose no sleep over that; they know there's plenty more where that came from. 

More to the point, the Lord’s parable celebrates the promises of our faith. The prodigal generosity of cottonwood and maple trees pale before God's merciful care of his people:

...eye has not seen, and ear has not heard...

what God has prepared for those who love him

Not only does our Crucified Lord forgive and atone for sins which seem unforgivable, he sends the same forgiven sinners to those who have committed similar crimes and worse. They must tell others that they too can find mercy in the cross of Jesus Christ. In fact, they are often more effective preachers than those apparent innocents who have never felt, seen, or suspected the corruption within their own hearts. 

In today's first reading, Isaiah describes God's word which, like rain on fertile soil, does not fail to produce a rich harvest. We recognize in Isaiah's prophecy first the prayers which the Spirit inspires in us; and then the Word made Flesh, the Child of Mary who 

…shall not return to me void,

but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent [him.]  

We are staggered by the dimensions of Jesus' self-sacrifice. Each year we spend many hours in Church and in our private prayer contemplating the suffering and death of the Lord. No one can imagine the extent of his suffering, especially as the last sounds the Man heard were mocking taunts and hooting laughter. 

He saved others; he cannot save himself. 

Saint Francis would remember the Lord’s death and weep, “Love is not loved; love is not love!” 

And then we are silenced again by the hagiographies of saints. They record many great sinners, ordinary people like you and me, “...conceived in sin and born in corruption; passing from the stink of the didie to the stench of the shroud.” But they died as martyrs for our moral values and religious beliefs. These formerly hapless men and women, saved by the Gospel, retooled and redirected their ambitions to serve the One whom they had despised, and the world stood aghast and astonished. 

We also hear of parents whose children disappoint all the standard definitions of normal, healthy, and brilliantly intelligent. They’re known as disabled and burdens on society; but their parents love them intensely and make enormous sacrifices for them. And then go further by showing the world how happy they are, and blessed by their special needs children. 

Anyone might ask. “How is that possible? Where does such superabundant joy, generosity, and courage come from?”

It certainly seems beyond human power but the Church remembers millions of stories of courage and generosity. Long after catastrophes have passed, we tell stories of men and women who went the extra mile, laughed at hardship, and volunteered to die with their condemned companions. 

We are also staggered by by the abundant fruit of that tree on which he died. The hard wood of the cross appears dead, black, and barren. It looks like nothing more than a dead tree until we see the fruit that flows from its branches. Innumerable acts of kindness, generosity, and charity appear as the blood and water which flowed from his side bathes us in his life. We may not think much of what we do for our neighbors, family, friends, and enemies; but they notice and wonder where we’re coming from. 

Grace shows our best selves to us and to the world – we might call it revelation or even apocalyptic. But that miracle is showing us that every human being is made for others. Not only do we need one another, our lives mean nothing if we’re not generous to others. I was not created for myself; I am not God’s gift to me. Those who live only for themselves, regardless of their success, prosperity, good health, and many years, die under a suffocating burden of disappointment. Their last words might be, “I deserved better than this!” but they never recognize who disappointed them. 

Grace shows us how generous we can be; and it often speaks with gentle prodding like, ‘You can do this. You think you can’t but I’m telling you, 'You can.' Don’t listen to your fears; listen to me.” We step out in courage when there seems no possibility of success; and walk into dark tunnels, seeing the light only much later, after a long trek in darkness. 

As Isaiah said,

Just as from the heavens

the rain and snow come down

and do not return there

till they have watered the earth,

making it fertile and fruitful,

giving seed to the one who sows

and bread to the one who eats,

so shall my word be

that goes forth from my mouth;

my word shall not return to me void,

but shall do my will,

achieving the end for which I sent it.

And finally, Saint Paul reflected on his many trials; and he felt only gratitude for the privilege of living and dying for Christ. Remembering everything he had suffered, he tells us,

...the sufferings of this present time are nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us…. 

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.