Homily For Sexagesima 2025
This Sunday morning, as we continue our preparations for the season of Lent, the Church, in the spirit of the Gesima Sundays, urges us to refocus our attention on the Gospel's truth and to strive to grasp the promises of God in Christ Jesus. This is a time of spiritual reflection, a period of introspection and preparation for the solemn observances of Lent. The Gospel reading for this week presents one of Jesus's earliest parables, highlighting the vigilance and unwavering focus demanded of a Christian. It cautions us that laxity or presumption can lead us far astray from the path to salvation, potentially jeopardizing our eternal destiny.
The parable speaks of four types of soil, representing four different kinds of hearts.
It illustrates the varying responses of individuals to the message of God's kingdom, demonstrating how our internal condition significantly impacts how we receive and act on divine truth. Only one of the four soil types yields the abundant, explosive fruitfulness the seed promises.
The message embedded in the parable underscores the crucial role of both faith and diligent action in our spiritual lives. Simply resting in Jesus through faith, without accompanying effort and devotion, is insufficient for producing fruit. The Epistle reading reinforces this idea with the exemplary life of St. Paul, illustrating how self-denial and self-mortification are essential elements of a Christ-centered life. The life of St. Paul powerfully demonstrates that genuine faith is not passive but active, requiring conscious commitment, effort, and sacrifice. Paul's actions, as detailed in the Epistle, serve as a potent example of how to cultivate "good soil" in our hearts.
In our Gospel for today, St. Luke sets the stage by writing”When a large crowd gathered and people came to him from every town, he said in a parable…" Luke emphasizes the large number of people drawn to Jesus, highlighting his growing popularity as a miracle-worker. His choice of a parable, however, might initially seem puzzling. Why, with such a large and enthusiastic following, would Jesus not deliver a clear, straightforward sermon?
What is a parable? A parable is a vivid illustrative story drawn from everyday life to convey a profound spiritual lesson. It possesses a dual nature, simultaneously revealing and concealing truth. It is, on the one hand, a teaching method accessible to all; the common experiences of life become a perpetual classroom for spiritual growth. In first-century Israel, a predominantly agrarian society, the imagery of the sower, the seed, and the soil would have been readily understood and relatable.
One commentator astutely described the parables as "a ploughman's gospel," suggesting that even the humblest laborer could find spiritual nourishment and instruction in each furrow and grain of corn.
On the other hand, the parable also veils plain exposition, requiring reflection and interpretation. This dual nature challenges the listener to engage more deeply with the message, moving beyond a superficial understanding. The parable’s dual nature is a powerful teaching tool, providing a vivid picture to ponder, stimulating deeper thought and encouraging a more profound understanding of the message being delivered.
Jesus tells us in this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and it was trampled down, and the birds devoured it. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, it withered because it lacked moisture.
Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. But other seed fell on good soil, and it grew, and yielded a crop a hundredfold."
Following the parable, Jesus declares, "Let anyone who has ears to hear listen!" This urgent call emphasizes the importance of paying close attention to his message. The narrative then shifts from the general crowd to the disciples, who ask for an explanation. Jesus responds, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but for the others it is in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand’" (Luke 8:10). He quotes Isaiah 6:9-10, highlighting the selective nature of spiritual understanding.
This transition reveals the disciples' humility and receptiveness. They recognize their need for further enlightenment, prompting Jesus to disclose the deeper meaning of the parable. This humility underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance and understanding. Only those who are willing to ask, to acknowledge their limitations, and to submit themselves to God’s teaching will receive a fuller comprehension of God’s word.
Jesus's explanation highlights the importance of active listening and the internal conditions that determine our response to God's word. In every instance, the initial step is hearing. Let us have ears not only to hear, but to listen as our Lord explains the parable of the soils.
The first soil type represents those who hear but do not genuinely receive the word, rejecting it due to hardened hearts. Mark 6 describes such people:
Jesus returns home to preach, but his neighbors' familiarity with him hinders their ability to see him as the Messiah. They are so blinded by their preconceived notions about Jesus that they cannot recognize his divine authority, thus illustrating the hardness of heart that prevents the seed from even taking root.
The second soil represents those whose faith is superficial, wavering under pressure. They initially receive the word with joy, but their belief is not robust enough to withstand temptation. Herod, in Mark 6, exemplifies this. Despite hearing John the Baptist's message gladly, he succumbed to temptation and ultimately caused John's death.
The third soil represents those whose hearts are choked by worldly concerns, riches, and pleasures. Herod’s rash vow, driven by a desire to uphold his reputation and satisfy his own desires, resulted in John the Baptist’s death.
His worldly preoccupations superseded his spiritual convictions, illustrating how the pursuit of earthly pleasures can obstruct spiritual growth.
The parable, then, reveals three types of unfruitful responses to God’s word: hardened hearts, superficial beliefs, and the distractions of worldly concerns. The deficiency lies not in the word itself, which remains perfect, but in the condition of the human heart.
The parable concludes with the fourth soil, the good ground, which produces a hundredfold harvest. This soil represents a heart that not only receives instruction but also desires it. This heart seeks the word, receives it, understands it, and keeps it. Unlike the others, this receptive soil accepts the word and actively puts it into practice, persevering even under hardship.
This highlights the necessity of not merely hearing God’s word, but also applying it and continuing to strive in faith.
Several weeks ago, we celebrated the conversion of St. Paul, an event that showcases the transformative power of God’s grace. Last Sunday’s Epistle emphasized that Christian discipleship requires dedicated effort. I Corinthians 9 uses the metaphors of athletic training and a race to highlight the importance of self-discipline and commitment in our spiritual journey.
Today’s Epistle from 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, provides a compelling example of Paul's own perseverance and self-sacrifice in serving Christ. It serves as a powerful testament to the dedication and commitment necessary for a life of faith. Paul initially defends himself against false teachers who criticize him and question his authority and integrity.
He then directs the Corinthians to consider three facets of his discipleship: danger, self-denial, and the burden of service.
Paul's account details the numerous dangers he faced in spreading the Gospel: beatings, betrayal, travel perils, and shipwrecks. These external challenges, however, never deterred him from his commitment to faith. Paul's life illustrates the importance of perseverance, even when faced with difficult circumstances and opposition. His life stands as a powerful testament to the enduring power of faith.
Difficulties inevitably arise in everyone's lives, ranging from minor inconveniences to significant trials. Self-denial, a key aspect of Christian discipleship, requires us to forsake our comfort for the sake of others. Paul willingly forwent comfort, foregoing basic necessities such as adequate rest, food, and clothing for the benefit of the body of Christ.
His life was marked by weariness, toil, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, fasting, cold, and nakedness, illustrating the self-sacrifice required for authentic discipleship.
Beyond the external struggles and the rigors of self-denial, Paul carried the internal burden of care for the churches. As an apostle, he bore the responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the congregations under his charge, striving to protect them from false teachings. His work transcended his own personal salvation and extended to the entire body of Christ.
Paul's boasting was not in his knowledge, pedigree, or honors, but in his infirmities, as they revealed God's power in his life. He embraced humility, emulating his Savior, Jesus Christ, showcasing the essence of a life lived in faith.
Several key applications emerge from today's readings. Our preparation for Lent reminds us of the obstacles to spiritual maturity. The parable underscores that the problem isn't the seed (God's word), but the condition of the recipient's heart. The word of God invariably has an effect, either fostering receptiveness or hardening the heart. We must regularly examine our hearts, addressing any attitudes that hinder our spiritual growth. Are we quick to scoff at God's word? Do we take it seriously? Are we ensnared by worldly pleasures? If so, God calls us to repentance, urging us to turn to him in faith and embrace his Gospel
Furthermore, obedience and perseverance are essential components of the Christian life. The good soil perseveres in faith, consistently keeping God's word and bearing fruit with patience. Jesus emphasized the importance of obedience, stating, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
James 1:22 reminds us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Do we obey God promptly, joyfully, and humbly?
Perseverance, though seemingly at odds with the concept of God's saving grace, is a necessary element of Christian living. While Christ's sacrifice makes us righteous before God, new life in Christ requires active exertion in obedience to God and sacrificial love for others. Good works, sustained through faith and trust in Christ, are essential. James emphasizes that faith without works is dead, and Peter urges us to make our calling and election sure. Even Paul, a champion of election, stressed the need for perseverance. Philippians 2:12-13 exhorts, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
Paul's self-discipline, as detailed in I Corinthians 9, highlights the necessity of bringing our bodies into submission to God, lest we become disqualified from serving Him. Our Epistle today serves as a powerful chronicle of St. Paul's unwavering perseverance, reminding us of the demands of discipleship.
In summary, today's Gospel underscores the need for receptive hearts, illustrating the obstacles that hinder spiritual growth. The parable emphasizes that the proper condition of the heart yields abundant fruit through obedience and patience. St. Paul's life exemplifies the fruitfulness of a receptive heart, emphasizing the dedication and self-discipline inherent in the Christian faith. As we anticipate Lent, let us contemplate these teachings, praying that God will eliminate the hindrances to our spiritual growth and strengthen our faith so that we may work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Amen.