St. Anthony & Our Lady of Fatima

Jesus was fond of using parables with agricultural imagery.  The sowing of seed on various types of land is one of his favorites.  It is the only one that he actually explains.  The seed is the “word of the kingdom” and the soil is likened to those who hear the word.  Sometimes the word takes root in our lives and sometimes it doesn’t.  Sometimes it lasts for only a short while and sometimes it flourishes and produces a harvest of good works.  The latter reality is always our task; the word of God shapes our discipleship and brings life to the world.

For Jesus “the little ones” are those who are not so full of their own wisdom that they are oblivious to the revelations of God.  Like children, they are always open to learning and are amazed at what can help them to grow in understanding the world around them.  These are the people that Jesus invites to hear his world and to come to know Father.  Even when they might find that difficult, he assures them, and us, that his “burden is light.”  In other words, he is always there to help us, to walk with us, and to share our journey.

At first glance, today’s reading seems a little harsh.  Jesus seems to be saying that we should set aside love of parents and siblings or else we are not worthy of his love for us.  The key word is more.  Jesus exhorts us to place our love for him above all others, but not instead of others.  In fact, when we read the Gospel carefully we discover that we come to love the Lord through others, and we love others because of the Lord.  It is an integrated love affair that we have with the Lord; it is a wonderful grace that we cannot live without!

It seems to be part of human nature to fear the unknown.  As a child, it might have been darkness; as an adult it may be any unfamiliar event or task that is in our future.  Jesus addresses the Twelve as a parent might console a child.  He encourages his followers to put their trust in his word and in his friendship for them.  He assures them that the Father’s love is as tender as that for a sparrow, and as deliberate as knowing the number of hairs on their head.  Strange comparisons, but we are that precious in the sight of God.