St. Paul tells the Romans and us today (the Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time), that “We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we are ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.” Huh? All of us understand and half of us know (directly) about labor pain: it is the hard work and lots of pain for a wonderful result—the creation of a family!
I think St. Paul goes beyond the obvious—he talks about us freeing ourselves from our sinful selves—and doing the work of becoming what we were meant to be: children of God living in the glorious freedom of goodness and peace—creation still happening—it’s a process. We are still groaning with the work and labor of our everyday re-creation as we strive to fulfill our destinies as our better selves. And it is hard work…
All the other readings today have images of gardens and growing, fertile ground and seed, sowing and fruit—production and yield. Jesus tells us today that we “look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.” How can the Word grow in us if we do not take the time to be fertile ground: to do the work of preparing ourselves to bear good Gospel fruit and to keep vigilant about “weeds” (sin)?
In this season of summer—with all our outdoor yard work—we see right in front of us the example of how God’s Word may grow in us. And yes, the labor may make us groan as we create beauty and order, and for a relatively short time we enjoy the results in our yards and gardens. But how much more worthwhile and lasting is the garden of our souls we are preparing for eternal life? My advice: plant some Gospel seeds, water with the Word, feed and fertilize with the Eucharist—tend your spiritual garden and you will produce good fruit. Food for thought!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
I think St. Paul goes beyond the obvious—he talks about us freeing ourselves from our sinful selves—and doing the work of becoming what we were meant to be: children of God living in the glorious freedom of goodness and peace—creation still happening—it’s a process. We are still groaning with the work and labor of our everyday re-creation as we strive to fulfill our destinies as our better selves. And it is hard work…
All the other readings today have images of gardens and growing, fertile ground and seed, sowing and fruit—production and yield. Jesus tells us today that we “look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.” How can the Word grow in us if we do not take the time to be fertile ground: to do the work of preparing ourselves to bear good Gospel fruit and to keep vigilant about “weeds” (sin)?
In this season of summer—with all our outdoor yard work—we see right in front of us the example of how God’s Word may grow in us. And yes, the labor may make us groan as we create beauty and order, and for a relatively short time we enjoy the results in our yards and gardens. But how much more worthwhile and lasting is the garden of our souls we are preparing for eternal life? My advice: plant some Gospel seeds, water with the Word, feed and fertilize with the Eucharist—tend your spiritual garden and you will produce good fruit. Food for thought!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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