Saturday of the 24th week in ordinary time year A
1 Tim. 6:13-16 Luke 8:4-15
Theme: Bearing fruits
Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. Padre Pio, a Capuchin Friar, and a stigmatist. In his life, we see the admonition in the 1st reading and the gospel reading of today, in practice. He lived a good life from the early stage of his life and made up his mind to serve God at the age of five. In his life he strived to put into practice the commandment of God, as presented to us by St. Paul in the 1st reading of today. A life that is founded on love of God and neighbours. This was what guided him all through his life. This simply means that the word of God that was sown in him was not a waste, because it bears fruit that helped both himself and all those who encountered him at one time or the other in his life.
This is what St. Luke is presenting to us in the gospel reading of today, in the parable of the Sower, as explained by Jesus himself to his disciples, who requested to know the meaning of the parable of the Sower. All these were found in the life of the saint whose feast we celebrate today in the church. Today as we celebrate him, it is an invitation to all of us as children of God, to emulate him and live a life that is good and fruitful, as explained in today’s gospel.
The assertion of St. Paul in the 1st reading of today is for all of us to act on as children of God. It is a reminder that we should be mindful of the fact that, a time will come, and we will have to give account of how we have lived our lives. In view of this, we are all encouraged to take seriously the commandment of love given to us by Jesus himself and practice it in our daily lives. Our lives will be better off when our actions are guided by love of God and neighbours. We see this fact in the life of St. Padre Pio whose feast we celebrate today in the church. Let us all make an honest and sincere effort to practice it in our individual lives. Never say its not possible, with God everything is possible. If Padre Pio can do it, then we can all do it.
In the parable of the Sower in the gospel reading, we all belong to one group, and with the explanation of Jesus, it is very clear where we are all supposed to be as children of God and followers of Christ. If you are not there already, then make effort to leave where you are now and allow the word of God that you hear and preach begin to bear fruit in your life and in the lives of all those who encounter you, just like it happened in the life of Padre Pio. As you do this may almighty God bless you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.