Homily: 21 July: Matthew 13:1-9

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(Please read the Scripture passage before reading the homily.)

Twins are relatively rare among humans.  I know a few twins.  I also know one set of triplets.

I tell you this because twins, triplets and such also happen in agriculture, in plants and animals, and I understand that it is not a rare happening.

Jesus told a story about seed.  He told many stories about the kingdom of God.  Today’s story is one of them.

The kingdom of God was coming.  It was like seed, broadcast onto the ground.  Birds attacked it as it lay upon the path.  The sun attacked it as it lay upon shallow soil.  Thorns attacked is it lay among the rocks.  Oh, the poor kingdom of God!  It started out full of hope.  Sometimes it did not make it past the birds; other times it did not make it past the scorching sun.  Sometimes thorns killed it.  Alas for the kingdom of God!

Some seed, however, fell among good soil and grew towards harvest: would another disaster attack it before the harvest? No.

Seed would normally produce about thirty grains per ear.  Some would split into twins and each could produce thirty grains.  Still others could split into triplets and each triplet produce the usual thirty grains per ear.  All who have ears ought to hear that that kingdom of God is among us.

The kingdom of God is among us.  It will bear fruit.  It will come to maturity and grow to adulthood.  Do not look for fantastic signs; see the kingdom in the ordinary things of life.

Sometimes we may see extraordinary things, but most of the time we live ordinary lives and grow to maturity with big fanfare.  Holiness, like the kingdom of God, lies in the ordinary.  Christ came to bring the kingdom to maturity.  He came in human flesh, not with the appearance of an angel or with the power of God.  He came as an ordinary human.  He inaugurated the kingdom, like seed cast upon the earth that could grow into full maturity.  So let it be with us.